WORK AND PENSIONS

Age Discrimination

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if his Department will  (a) carry out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its workforce,  (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers,  (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and  (d) extend to over-fifties the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The Department maintains a clear view of the age profile of its workforce. The position as at June 2006 is in the following table.
	
		
			  Age Range  Permanent and Fixed Term Appointments (Headcount)  Percentage 
			 < 20 592 0.5 
			 20 < 25 5,742 4.7 
			 25 < 30 10,408 8.4 
			 30 < 35 12,703 10.3 
			 35 < 40 18,243 14.8 
			 40 < 45 22,836 18.5 
			 45 < 50 20,903 17.0 
			 50 < 55 15,798 12.8 
			 55 < 60 11,994 9.7 
			 60 < 65 3,802 3.1 
			 65+ 300 0.2 
			 Total 123,321  
		
	
	The Department does not discriminate on grounds of age and recently implemented a policy of having no mandatory retirement age for all DWP employees below the Senior Civil Service. DWP employees in the Senior Civil Service are managed centrally by the Cabinet Office and have a mandatory retirement age of 65.
	The Department identifies and supports training which is needed to enable delivery of DWP business, irrespective of an employee's age. All employees, irrespective of age, are able to request flexible working practices to help meet their particular commitments, commensurate with continuing to support delivery of the Department's business needs. Employees who have reached minimum pension age of 60 are similarly able to request to draw their accrued pension benefits and keep working, either on reduced hours or in a lower grade. Any training necessary to support delivery of the Department's business is conducted as part of paid working time.

Benefits

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2006,  Official Report, column 590W, on benefits, what assessment he has made of the impact of widening the housing benefit extended payment scheme from April 2004 to include those in receipt of  (a) incapacity benefit and  (b) severe disablement allowance; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: From April 2004 we widened the scope of extended payments by introducing a parallel scheme for people moving into work from either incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance. In 2005, it is estimated that 5,000 customers or their partners who received either incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance received an extended payment when they moved off benefit and into employment.

Benefits

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the implications for claimants of being changed from severe disablement allowance to incapacity benefit; and whether this change will result in the loss of eligibility for  (a) housing benefit and  (b) passported benefits associated with housing benefit.

James Plaskitt: New claims to severe disablement allowance were stopped on 6 April 2001. From that date new customers need to apply for incapacity benefit or income support on grounds of incapacity. At that time youth rules were introduced to incapacity benefit, whereby those incapable of work before the age of 20 (25 years old in certain circumstances) are eligible for the benefit without needing to meet the national insurance contribution condition.
	Existing severe disablement allowance customers, apart from those aged under 20 years old on 5 April 2001, have not been transferred onto incapacity benefit. Instead payment of severe disablement allowance continues as long as the benefit conditions continue to be satisfied.
	Entitlement to severe disablement allowance does not passport its recipients to other benefits, such as housing benefit, in the way that income support and income related jobseeker's allowance do. Many customers on severe disablement allowance may also qualify for income support and so be passported to other benefits in that way. People on severe disablement allowance with a low income, but not also receiving income support would need to be considered for housing benefit on low-income grounds.

Benefits

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what are the earnings disregards for those benefits for which he is responsible expressed in  (a) cash terms,  (b) real terms with 1997 as the base year and  (c) terms of hours of work at present minimum wage rates.

James Plaskitt: Earnings disregards apply to all income related benefits: income support; jobseeker's allowance; pension credit; housing benefit and council tax benefit.
	Benefits rates are set for the financial year, not the calendar year, and with 1997-98 as the base year, the real terms amounts of the earnings disregards are set out in the table together with the current rates
	
		
			  Earnings disregards in income related benefits cash and real terms 
			  £ 
			   Cash terms  Real terms( 1) 
			 Standard earnings (single) 5.00 4.00 
			 Couples earnings 10.00 7.90 
			 Disabled, or carer 20.00 15.90 
			 Lone parent (not HB/CTB) 20.00 15.90 
			 Lone parent (HB/CTB only) 25.00 19.80 
			 HB/CTB 16/ to 30-hour disregard 14.90 11.80 
			 HB/CTB childcare disregard one child 175.00 138.80 
			 HB/CTB childcare disregard two+ children 300.00 238.00 
			 (1) Deflated by RPI, base year: 1997-98  Notes: 1. Forecast RPI for 2006-07, from Budget 2006 2. The first three disregards apply to all income related benefits. 3. There are different lone parent rates for housing benefit (HB) and council tax benefit (CTB). 4. The last four disregards apply to HB and CTB only. 
		
	
	There are three levels of the national minimum wage. The rates from 1 October 2006 are: £5.35 per hour for workers aged 22 years and older; a development rate of £4.45 per hour for workers aged 18-21 years inclusive; and £3.30 per hour which applies to all workers under the age of 18 who are no longer of compulsory school age.
	At the £5.35 per hour rate, the number of hours required to reach the earnings disregard level for each type of disregard ranges from one hour for a claimant on the standard earnings disregard, to five hours for a lone parent on housing benefit or council tax benefit. However, at 16 hours, such a lone parent would also qualify for an additional earnings disregard amount of £14.90.

Benefits

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the extent to which the bereavement benefits scheme treats men and women equally.

James Plaskitt: Bereavement benefits are payable to both men and women.
	They provide fast and direct financial help for immediate needs following bereavement, for widows, widowers and surviving civil partners alike.

Benefits (EU Nationals)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals who have arrived in the UK from the new European Union member states since 1 May 2004 are claiming welfare benefits.

James Plaskitt: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 8 March 2006,  Official Report, column 1548W.

Benefits (EU Nationals)

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many arrivals from the new EU accession countries  (a) have claimed and  (b) are claiming means tested (i) housing benefit and (ii) council tax benefit at the latest available date;
	(2)  how many arrivals from the new EU accession countries  (a) have claimed and  (b) are claiming income related benefits at the latest available date.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the precise format requested. However, information on the number of applications for income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance and pension credit is available in the "Accession Monitoring Report; May 2004 - June 2006", a joint report by the Home Office, Department for Work and Pensions, HM Revenue and Customs and Department for Communities and Local Government; copies of which have been placed in the Library.
	The report is available online at:
	www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/reports/accession_monitoring_report

Benefits (EU Nationals)

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many nationals from the EU accession states have applied for  (a) income support,  (b) income-based jobseeker's allowance and  (c) state pension credit since May 2004; and how many applications have (i) been disallowed and (ii) been allowed to proceed for further processing in each case.

James Plaskitt: The available information can be found in table 14 of the Accession Monitoring Report May 2004—June 2006, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

Benefits (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in City of York constituency were in receipt of each benefit administered by his Department  (a) at the latest date for which figures are available and  (b) on the same date in each of the previous 10 years; and how much was spent in the constituency on each benefit in each year.

James Plaskitt: The available information is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Income support (IS), jobseeker's allowance (JSA), incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance (IB/SDA), widow's benefit (WB), pension credit (PC), minimum income guarantee (MIG), disability living allowance (DLA), and attendance allowance (AA) claimants in the City of York parliamentary constituency, as at February each year 
			   IS  JSA  IB/SDA  WB  PC  MIG  DLA  AA 
			 1997 3,690 3,460 4,040 — — 2,600 2,500 1,900 
			 1998 3,370 2,760 4,144 — — 2,400 2,700 1,900 
			 1999 3,670 2,402 4,040 — — 2,400 2,700 2,000 
			 2000 3,650 2,189 4,020 340 — 2,560 3,000 2,000 
			 2001 3,740 1,903 4,170 340 — 2,610 3,200 1,900 
			 2002 3,710 1,689 4,210 300 — 2,740 3,200 1,900 
			 2003 3,480 1,571 4,150 260 — 2,730 3,140 1,800 
			 2004 3,370 1,580 4,080 210 3,720 — 3,250 2,000 
			 2005 3,250 1,298 4,010 190 4,330 — 3,330 2,100 
			 2006 3,190 1,659 3,890 170 4,470 — 3,420 2,300 
			  Notes:  1. IS figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and exclude MIG cases. 2. JSA figures are un-rounded and are not seasonally adjusted. 3. IB/SDA figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and include IB contributions only cases. 4. WB figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 5. PC figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 6. MIG figures are rounded to the nearest hundred from 1997 to 1999 and to the nearest 10 from 2000 onwards. 7. DLA figures are rounded to the nearest hundred from 1997 to 2002 and to the nearest 10 from 2003 onwards. 8. AA figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 9. WB figures are not available broken down by parliamentary constituency prior to September 1999. 10. WB was replaced by bereavement benefit on 9 April 2001. 11. PC replaced MIG on 6 October 2003. 12. DLA and AA figures exclude suspended cases.  Source: 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS); DWP information Directorate 5 per cent. samples; count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer system (including clerically held cases). 
		
	
	
		
			  Carer's allowance (CA), state pension (SP), and bereavement benefit (BB) claimants in the City of York parliamentary constituency, as at date shown each year 
			   CA  SP  BB 
			 March 2000 — 18,400 — 
			 March 2001 — 18,000 — 
			 March 2002 500 17,800 100 
			 February 2003 500 18,200 70 
			 February 2004 470 18,150 70 
			 February 2005 490 18,150 60 
			 February 2006 510 18,070 80 
			  Notes:  1. CA figures are rounded to the nearest 100 from 2002-03 and to the nearest 10 from 2004 onwards. 2. SP figures are rounded to the nearest 100 from 2000 to 2002 and to the nearest 10 from 2003 onwards. 3. BB figures are rounded to the nearest 100 for 2002 and to the nearest 10 from 2003 onwards. 4. CA figures exclude underlying entitlement cases. 5. CA and SP figures are not available broken down by parliamentary constituency prior to 2000. 6. BB replaced widow's benefit, for new claims, on 9 April 2001.  Sources:  100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS); DWP information Directorate 5 per cent. samples. 
		
	
	
		
			  Industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB) claimants in the City of York parliamentary constituency, as at date shown each year 
			   Number 
			 March 2000 200 
			 March 2001 200 
			 March 2002 200 
			 March 2003 205 
			 March 2004 200 
			 March 2005 205 
			 December 2005 205 
			  Notes:  1. IIDB figures to March 2002 are based on a 10 per cent sample from clerical forms and are subject to sampling error; they are rounded to the nearest hundred.  2. IIDB figures from March 2003 are from a 100 per cent sample from the Industrial Injuries Computer System; they are rounded to the nearest five.  3. IIDB figures are not available broken down by parliamentary constituency prior to March 2000.  4. The latest available data is for December 2005. 
		
	
	
		
			  Winter fuel payments claimants in the City of York parliamentary constituency, as at date shown each year 
			  Winter  Number 
			 1999-2000 18,600 
			 2000-01 20,140 
			 2001-02 20,090 
			 2002-03 19,980 
			 2003-04 19,850 
			 2004-05 19,440 
			 2005-06 19,340 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures are not available broken down by parliamentary constituency prior to winter 1999-2000.  Source:  DWP Information Directorate, 100 per cent. data. 
		
	
	
		
			  Payments made for each benefit in the City of York parliamentary constituency in 2005-06 
			   £ million 
			 Income support 13.3 
			 Jobseeker's allowance 6.1 
			 Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance 9.4 
			 Widow's benefit/bereavement benefit 1.2 
			 Pension credit 9.0 
			 Disability living allowance 10.2 
			 Attendance allowance 5.7 
			 Carer's allowance 1.3 
			 State pension 87.3 
			 Industrial injuries disablement benefit 0.5 
			 Winter fuel payments 5.5 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand. 2. Figures are based on four-quarterly averages for the quarters May 2005 to February 2006. 3. The latest available industrial injuries disablement benefit data relate to December 2005. 4. Bereavement benefit replaced widow's benefit, for new claims, on 9 April 2001.  Source:  100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS); DWP information Directorate 5 per cent. samples.

Carers

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people who have had to leave the workforce because of their caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 20 October 2006
	The information requested is not available.

Departmental Vacancies

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of vacancies in his Department in the last 12 months required candidates to have at least a grade C in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics GCSE.

Anne McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions uses competencies and selection tests in its processes for both internal and external selection including appropriate literacy and numeracy tests in external selection, rather than formal educational qualifications in mathematics and English.

Events (Risk Assessments)

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance the Health and Safety Executive has produced on the need for risk assessments of public events organised by the voluntary sector.

Anne McGuire: Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently re-published "Charity and voluntary workers: A guide to health and safety at work" (HSG192). This is mainly concerned with the health and safety of workers employed by the voluntary sector, but does touch upon public events. It was developed in partnership with the Charities Safety Group, which has over 100 member charities, and the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
	The guidance makes clear that employers are required to carry out an assessment of risks that result from their undertaking and, if they employ five or more people, that they must record the findings of the assessment. Therefore, where the body organising an event is an employer, as many charities are, the law requires that a risk assessment is carried out.
	The guidance also includes advice and case studies to help charities and volunteering organisations decide on the practical steps they need to take.
	HSE also supported Volunteering England in the development and recent launch of their risk assessment toolkit which is available free online at www.volunteering.org.uk. It gives detailed guidance on all aspects of risk assessment in volunteering, including health and safety aspects of organising events.

Evidence of Identity

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2006,  Official Report, column 719W, on national insurance, what proportion of those who attended a Jobcentre Plus Evidence of Identity interview were referred to the Immigration and Nationality Department; and what proof of identity is normally required at a Jobcentre Plus Evidence of Identity interview.

James Plaskitt: In the year from 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006, fewer than 1 per cent. of those who attended a Jobcentre Plus Evidence of Identity interview were referred to the Immigration and Nationality Department as potential immigration offenders.
	Adults who require a NINO are asked to bring a number of documents to the Evidence of Identity interview to help prove their identity. These documents are set out in form ISSPA5JP, which is available from Jobcentre Plus and social security offices. Copies have been placed in the Library. It is also available at www.dwp.gov.uk

Government Social Research Service

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of the Government Social Research Service in his Department in each of the last five years; how many projects have been completed by the service in that period; and how many people are employed in the service in his Department.

Anne McGuire: The Department's expenditure on social research for the last five financial years is given in the following table:
	
		
			  £ million 
			  Financial year  Expenditure 
			 2001-02 11.8 
			 2002-03 10.2 
			 2003-04 12.5 
			 2004-05 14.2 
			 2005-06 16.92 
		
	
	The number of projects completed during the last five years, based on the number of social research reports published, is 430 (all social research undertaken by the Department is published).
	The latest available staffing figures (for the year 2004-05) indicate there are 84 social researchers employed within this Department at a cost of around £4.4 million.

Housing Benefit

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance and information has been provided to raise awareness of the change that allows housing benefit to continue to be paid for a young person who has started a full-time course before turning 19 until they complete the course or turn 20.

James Plaskitt: Local authorities, who administer housing benefit, have been issued with guidance advising them of the amendments that have been made to the housing benefit regulations as a result of the changes of the entitlement conditions for child benefit. This guidance was contained in housing benefit and council tax benefit circular A6/2006. A copy has been placed in the Library.

Income Support

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the extent to which individuals are able to eat healthily when in receipt of income support personal allowance for a single person aged  (a) 16 to 17,  (b) 18 to 24 and  (c) 25 years and over.

James Plaskitt: The Department for Work and Pensions has not made any assessment of the extent to which individuals are able to eat healthily when in receipt of income support. The rates of income support are intended to cover all normal day to day living expenses.

Income Support

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost of increasing by £1 per week income support levels for single people aged  (a) 16 to 17 and  (b) 18 to 24 years.

James Plaskitt: The annual cost of increasing by £1 per week income support levels for single people is estimated to be £1,000,000 for people aged 16 to 17 and £14,000,000 for people aged 18 to 24.

International GCSE

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department recognises the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment.

Anne McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions uses a combination of competencies and selection tests for recruitment purposes and does not use specific educational qualifications as a criterion.

Investment Allowances

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the capital limits are for those benefits for which he is responsible in  (a) cash terms,  (b) real terms with 1997 as the base and  (c) terms of years of present maximum annual investment savings account allowances.

James Plaskitt: Capital limits apply to all income related benefits: income support; jobseeker's allowance; pension credit; housing benefit and council tax benefit.
	Capital at or below the lower limit does not affect benefit. For capital between the lower and the upper limit, an amount of 'tariff income' is assumed. Claimants with capital above the upper limit are excluded from benefit. Pension credit has no upper limit, nor do housing benefit and council tax benefit when paid with pension credit.
	Benefit rates are set for the financial year, not the calendar year, and with 1997-98 as the base year, the real terms capital limit amounts are set out together with the present upper and lower capital limits, which were increased for working age claimants in April 2006, in the table.
	
		
			  Capital limits in income related benefits in cash and real terms. 
			  £ 
			   Cash terms  Real terms( 1) 
			  Council tax benefit, housing benefit, income support and jobseeker's allowance   
			 Lower limit 6,000 4,750 
			 Upper limit 16,000 12,750 
			 Child's limit 3,000 2,500 
			 Lower limit (RC/NH)(2) 10,000 8,000 
			
			  Pension credit   
			 Lower limit 6,000 4,750 
			 Upper limit (3)— (3)— 
			 Lower limit (RC/NH)W 10,000 8,000 
			 (1 )Deflated by RPI base year 1997-98 (2 )RC = residential care home; NH = nursing home (3 )No limit  Note: Forecast RPI for 2006-07, from Budget 2006 
		
	
	The maximum allowance for Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) is £7,000 in each tax year (stocks and shares only). The lower capital limit (working age adults and pensioners) capital is broadly equivalent to the ISA allowance. The upper capital limit (working age adults only) is broadly equivalent to twice the annual ISA allowance.

Jobcentre Plus

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether there are plans to close Chorlton Jobcentre Plus;
	(2)  what discussions have taken place in his Department on the possible closure of Chorlton Jobcentre Plus.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 30 October 2006:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking whether there are any plans to close Chorlton Jobcentre Plus and what discussions have taken place in his Department on the possible closure of Chorlton Jobcentre Plus. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	There are two Jobcentre Plus sites at Chorlton:
	The Benefit Delivery Centre which processes benefits for the Manchester area. This is in the implementation stage and planned to be fully operational in March 2007. There are currently no plans for closure of this site.
	Chorlton Jobcentre which provides a customer-facing service.
	We are currently reviewing our Jobcentre network, including Chorlton Jobcentre, to ensure that our services are delivered efficiently. Any site identified as a potential closure is referred to the Minister of State for consideration. If the Minister gives permission to proceed, a full consultation will take place with local stakeholders.
	Lindsey Harman, the District Manager for Greater Manchester Central will be more than happy to discuss any further concerns you may have, and I have asked Lindsey to keep you informed of developments.

Liability Insurance

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of companies in the East Midlands with invalid or insufficient liability insurance.

Anne McGuire: Research conducted for Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2003 indicated that less than 1 per cent. of companies had failed to take out employers' liability (compulsory) insurance (ELCI). The research was carried out to investigate allegations that companies were having problems in obtaining ELCI, because of difficulties in the cost and availability. Due to the low overall level of reported non-compliance no attempt was made to assess regional differences.
	With regard to insufficient ELCI, the law is specific about conditions in ELCI insurance policies. HSE is not aware of any complaints concerned with deficiencies in ELCI policies, nor of any prosecutions brought by HSE under the ELCI Act on the grounds of insufficiency.

Muslim Council of Britain

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much  (a) financial support and  (b) support in kind his Department and its agencies have given to the Muslim Council of Britain in each year since 1997.

Anne McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was formed in June 2001 from the Department of Social Security (DSS), the Employment Service (ES) and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment (DfEE). Any financial information would only be available from that time.
	The Department for Work and Pensions has provided neither financial support nor support in kind to the Muslim Council of Britain.

National Insurance Numbers

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many national insurance numbers there were in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many national insurance numbers were issued in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Total approximate national insurance numbers in issue in each year between 1997 and 2006 
			   Number (Million) 
			 1997 66 
			 1998 67 
			 1999 68 
			 2000 69 
			 2001 70 
			 2002 71 
			 2003 72 
			 2004 73 
			 2005 74.5 
		
	
	In order to maintain the integrity of the system (and for benefit purposes) NINOs are not removed. For example, they are retained after a person dies or moves abroad. This is because individuals who move abroad may at some point have a call upon contributions paid whilst in the UK. In the case of deceased individuals, a partner may make a claim for a contributory benefit, which is dependant on the contribution record of the deceased individual. This means that the number of accounts held on the system accrues as NINOs are allocated each year to all UK children who reach 16 years and persons from abroad requiring a NINO are added.
	
		
			  Total national insurance numbers issued between 1997 and 2006 
			   Number 
			 1997 1,017,500 
			 1998 1,026,885 
			 1999 1,021,776 
			 2000 995,351 
			 2001 928,059 
			 2002 1,082,035 
			 2003 1,141,795 
			 2004 1,250,622 
			 2005 1,486,312

National Insurance Numbers

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the basis of which criteria locations were chosen for contact centres for interviews for new national insurance numbers.

James Plaskitt: Customers wishing to obtain a new national insurance number are required to attend an interview at a Jobcentre. The Jobcentres providing these services were selected on the basis of historical information on where the largest volumes of applications were made, taking into account the suitability of premises available.

New Deal

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of participants in the New Deal for Lone Parents  (a) have disabilities and  (b) are parents; what action is being taken to improve the ability of persons with more than one such potential impediment to get into work; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: At the end of February, there were 63,370 participants on New Deal for Lone Parents, of which, 5.6 per cent. (3,590) declared themselves as disabled. Since the start of the programme in 1998, 4.3 per cent. of those starting New Deal for Lone Parents have declared themselves as disabled, and of the 457,850 lone parents helped into work through the programme, just over 4 per cent. were disabled. All participants on New Deal for Lone Parents are parents.
	All New Deal for Lone Parent advisers receive disability awareness training, and if a lone parent needs extra support because of a disability or health condition, they can be referred to a Jobcentre Plus Disability Employment Adviser (DEA). DEAs support recently disabled people, or those whose health condition or disability has deteriorated and who need employment advice. They can refer people, where appropriate for occupational health assessments, or to access to work advisers, as well as the full range of Jobcentre Plus disability programmes. In addition, DEAs support people who encounter barriers in the workplace associated with disability, and also provide advice and support to employers regarding the employment and retention of disabled people and those with health conditions.

Pension Credit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of administering pension credit in each year from 1996-97 to 2006-07.

James Purnell: The information requested is not available.
	I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on 18 April 2006,  Official Report, column 431W.

Pensioner Incomes

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the Pensioner Prices Index was in each year from 1976-77 to 2006-07.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 October 2006:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, what estimate has been made of the Pensioner Prices Index in each year from 1976-77 to 2006-07 (96313).
	The Retail Prices Index (RPI) covers the expenditure of UK private households only, excluding the top four percent by income and those pensioner households where the head of the household is retired and economically inactive and where at least three-quarters of the household income is derived from state benefits.
	Since 1969, RPI pensioner indices have been compiled on a quarterly basis for these pensioner households excluded from the RPI (separately for one and two pensioner households). These indices are based on the spending patterns of these specific households, and contain some pensioner specific items such as OAP bus and rail fares. They exclude items such as canteen meals, which are not relevant due to very small expenditure levels. They also exclude housing costs on the grounds that the price indicators used in the RPI would overstate the price increases experienced by these pensioners, because no allowance is made for rebates e.g. on council tax and local authority rents.
	Table 1 shows the RPI Pensioner Indices for 1976 - 2006 based on January 1987 = 100.
	
		
			  Table 1: RPI pensioner indices( 1) : 1976 to 2006 (January 1987=100) 
			   Quarterly Indices (January 1987=100) 
			   1 pensioner  2 pensioner 
			   Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4  Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4 
			 1976 39.4 41.0 41.8 44.3 39.4 40.9 41.8 44.3 
			 1977 46.3 48.4 49.4 50.2 46.6 48.5 49.3 50.1 
			 1978 51.1 52.4 53.1 53.6 51.0 52.3 53.0 53.6 
			 1979 55.6 57.1 60.0 62.0 55.5 57.1 60.2 62.1 
			 1980 64.9 67.8 69.6 71.2 64.8 67.8 69.3 70.7 
			 1981 73.3 75.6 76.9 78.8 73.0 75.6 76.9 78.9 
			 1982 81.3 83.4 83.6 84.7 81.2 83.1 83.2 84.4 
			 1983 85.7 86.5 87.2 88.6 85.2 86.3 87.0 88.4 
			 1984 89.7 91.5 91.5 92.5 89.5 91.5 91.4 92.4 
			 1985 94.0 96.1 96.1 96.9 93.9 96.0 96.0 96.8 
			 1986 97.9 99.0 99.0 99.4 97.7 98.8 98.9 99.4 
			 1987 100.3 101.2 100.9 102.0 100.3 101.3 101.1 102.3 
			 1988 102.8 104.6 105.3 106.6 103.1 104.8 105.5 106.8 
			 1989 108.0 110.0 111.0 113.2 108.2 110.4 111.3 113.4 
			 1990 115.3 118.1 119.9 122.4 115.4 118.3 120.2 122.6 
			 1991 123.8 127.4 128.5 129.9 123.7 128.0 128.9 130.4 
			 1992 130.8 132.2 131.6 132.6 131.5 133.2 132.6 133.7 
			 1993 133.6 135.0 134.8 135.0 134.7 136.8 136.8 136.8 
			 1994 135.1 137.7 137.4 137.8 137.3 139.6 139.4 139.9 
			 1995 139.1 140.7 141.0 141.7 141.4 143.1 143.5 144.2 
			 1996 142.8 144.3 144.1 144.3 145.5 147.2 147.1 147.6 
			 1997 144.4 145.4 145.6 146.1 147.9 149.0 149.5 150.1 
			 1998 146.0 147.5 147.5 148.6 150.1 151.8 151.9 152.8 
			 1999 148.9 149.9 149.5 150.1 153.3 154.5 154.2 154.9 
			 2000 150.0 151.0 151.1 151.2 154.9 156.2 156.5 156.9 
			 2001 150.6 153.3 153.0 153.9 156.5 159.3 158.9 159.3 
			 2002 154.7 155.3 155.0 156.1 160.1 161.0 160.7 161.7 
			 2003 156.7 157.9 158.3 159.4 162.6 163.7 164.0 165.0 
			 2004 159.7 160.9 160.5 162.3 165.4 166.6 166.1 167.6 
			 2005 163.4 164.8 165.1 167.1 168.3 169.8 170.1 171.7 
			 2006 168.2 171.6 173.6 — 172.4 175.4 177.2 — 
		
	
	
		
			   Percentage changes over a year earlier 
			   1 pensioner  2 pensioner 
			   Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4  Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4 
			 1976 25.6 17.9 15.9 18.1 25.2 17.4 15.4 17.9 
			 1977 17.5 18.1 18.4 13.4 18.1 18.4 18.0 13.0 
			 1978 10.3 8.3 7.3 6.6 9.4 7.8 7.5 7.1 
			 1979 8.8 8.9 13.1 15.8 9.0 9.2 13.5 15.8 
			 1980 16.7 18.8 16.0 14.7 16.6 18.8 15.3 14.0 
			 1981 13.0 11.4 10.5 10.7 12.6 11.4 11.0 11.5 
			 1982 10.9 10.4 8.7 7.5 11.2 10.0 8.2 7.0 
			 1983 5.4 3.7 4.3 4.6 5.0 3.8 4.6 4.8 
			 1984 4.7 5.8 5.0 4.4 5.0 6.0 5.1 4.5 
			 1985 4.8 5.0 4.9 4.8 4.9 5.0 5.0 4.7 
			 1986 4.2 3.1 3.0 2.6 4.1 2.9 3.0 2.7 
			 1987 2.4 2.2 1.9 2.6 2.7 2.5 2.2 2.9 
			 1988 2.5 3.4 4.4 4.5 2.8 3.5 4.4 4.4 
			 1989 5.1 5.2 5.4 6.2 4.9 5.3 5.5 6.2 
			 1990 6.8 7.4 8.0 8.1 6.7 7.2 8.0 8.1 
			 1991 7.4 7.9 7.2 6.1 7.2 8.2 7.2 6.4 
			 1992 5.7 3.8 2.4 2.1 6.3 4.1 2.9 2.5 
			 1993 2.1 2.1 2.4 1.8 2.4 2.7 3.2 2.3 
			 1994 1.1 2.0 1.9 2.1 1.9 2.0 1.9 2.3 
			 1995 3.0 2.2 2.6 2.8 3.0 2.5 2.9 3.1 
			 1996 2.7 2.6 2.2 1.8 2.9 2.9 2.5 2.4 
			 1997 1.1 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.6 1.2 1.6 1.7 
			 1998 1.1 1.4 1.3 1.7 1.5 1.9 1.6 1.8 
			 1999 2.0 1.6 1.4 1.0 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.4 
			 2000 0.7 0.7 1.1 0.7 1.0 1.1 1.5 1.3 
			 2001 0.4 1.5 1.3 1.8 1.0 2.0 1.5 1.5 
			 2002 2.7 1.3 1.3 1.4 2.3 1.1 1.1 1.5 
			 2003 1.3 1.7 2.1 2.1 1.6 1.7 2.1 2.0 
			 2004 1.9 1.9 1.4 1.8 1.7 1.8 1.3 1.6 
			 2005 2.3 2.4 2.9 3.0 1.8 1.9 2.4 2.4 
			 2006 2.9 4.1 5.1 — 2.4 3.3 4.2 — 
			 (1) Separate indices are produced for 1 and for 2 pensioner households that are excluded from the RPI. That is households where the head of the household is retired (at least 65 years of age for men and 60 years or more for women) and economically inactive, and where at least three quarters of the household's income is from state benefits.   Source:  National Statistics 
		
	
	—continued

Pensioners (Benefit Payments)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Government has taken to encourage pensioners to take up benefits to which they are entitled.

James Purnell: The Pension Service has written to every pensioner household to tell them about pension credit. A direct mail initiative "You're missing out" was targeted at 1.5 million households identified as highly likely to be eligible for pension credit, as a result of data matching. A further 'reminder' postcard was sent to one million households who did not respond. Since 5 December 2005 customers who contact the pension credit application line to make an application for pension credit are also able to claim housing benefit and council tax benefit during the one phone call.
	During 2005-06 Local Service visited approximately 23,000 households each week, focusing on those customers who were most likely to be eligible for pension credit and working closely with partners (e.g. Help the Aged, Age Concern) to encourage pensioners to take up their entitlement to pension credit.
	In addition, we are currently improving our service by enabling new customers who call to claim their state pension, to also apply for pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit in a single call.

Pensioners (Council Tax Benefit)

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to support pensioners in ill health who cannot claim council tax benefits due to their level of savings.

James Purnell: People aged 60 or over who are receiving the guarantee part of pension credit will normally be entitled to full council tax benefit, less deductions for any non-dependants in the household.
	There is no capital limit within pension credit although a notional rate of income for capital over £6,000 (£10,000 for those in care homes) is assumed at a rate of £1 for each £500 or part of £500.
	Someone in ill-health may also be entitled to an additional amount in pension credit for severe disability if they qualify for attendance allowance or the middle or highest rate of the care component for disability living allowance. This would increase the level of the guaranteed minimum income that would be applied and increase the amount of income (including notional income from savings) that someone could have and still qualify for pension credit.
	People over the age of 65 who are severely disabled and have personal care or supervision needs can claim attendance allowance. It is non-contributory, tax free and is not affected by income or savings.
	We want to make sure pensioners claim all the benefits to which they are entitled and know that some pensioners need support in doing so. The Pension Service Local Service, local authorities and sometimes the voluntary sector are joining forces nationally so that older people will receive a full and joined up service that can deal with a variety of issues and queries. Many older people dislike having to go through claim processes over and over again with different organisations and these joint teams can help reduce this by providing a single access point to social care and benefit entitlements such as pension credit, housing benefit and attendance allowance.
	We now have 118 teams that are able to visit some of the most vulnerable people in the country, people who historically may never have applied for any entitlement or benefit and who would not be aware of referral routes or even the names of the many benefits they could receive.
	State pension, winter fuel payments and free television licences are not affected by health or savings and are available to everyone who satisfies the qualifying conditions.

Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether new infrastructure associated with the proposed system of personal accounts will be financed  (a) by the public sector,  (b) by the private sector with no comfort letters or guarantees from the Government and  (c) by the private sector but with comfort letters or guarantees from the Government;
	(2)  to what extent the cost of setting up the proposed new system of personal accounts will be met by savers through the annual management charge; and whether part of the cost will be met by the Exchequer.

James Purnell: We are currently undertaking work to consider funding structures of personal accounts and will bring forward proposals in due course.

Post Office Card Account

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in  (a) the London Borough of Bexley and  (b) Greater London have a Post Office card account.

James Plaskitt: Information is not available in the format requested.
	Information showing the number of DWP benefit and pension payment accounts paid by Direct Payment into a Post Office card account in  (a) the London Borough of Bexley and  (b) Greater London is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Greater London authorities  Number of accounts 
			 Barking and Dagenham 15,250 
			 Barnet 11,630 
			 Bexley 10,700 
			 Brent 13,560 
			 Bromley 12,570 
			 Camden 11,020 
			 City of London 230 
			 Croydon 15,950 
			 Ealing 13,160 
			 Enfield 15,810 
			 Greenwich 16,400 
			 Hackney 17,270 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 9,940 
			 Haringey 14,800 
			 Harrow 6,190 
			 Havering 13,070 
			 Hillingdon 10,310 
			 Hounslow 8,850 
			 Islington 15,900 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 6,280 
			 Kingston upon Thames 4,450 
			 Lambeth 17,020 
			 Lewisham 15,810 
			 Merton 6,910 
			 Newham 18,360 
			 Redbridge 11,410 
			 Richmond upon Thames 4,490 
			 Southwark 16,050 
			 Sutton 7,670 
			 Tower Hamlets 16,740 
			 Waltham Forest 14,590 
			 Wandsworth 12,170 
			 Westminster 9,530

Post Office Card Account

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to reduce costs of Post Office card account transactions.

James Plaskitt: My Department has taken no steps, other than those built into the original contract, to either reduce the cost of each transaction into a Post Office card account or to reduce the range or quality of services provided to customers.

Remploy

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the average productivity-related subsidy is paid to companies that employ a person through Remploy Interwork.

Anne McGuire: The annual average productivity-related subsidy paid to companies that employ a person through Remploy Interwork is £503.24.

Remploy

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people have been placed via Remploy Interwork into supported jobs with  (a) mainstream and  (b) other companies in each of the past five years;
	(2)  how many people have transferred from Remploy businesses to Remploy Interwork in each of the past five years.

Anne McGuire: The available information is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Disabled people placed by Remploy Interwork into work with employers( 1) 
			  April to March  Number 
			 2001-02 1,048 
			 2002-03 1,743 
			 2003-04 2,486 
			 2004-05 3,576 
			 2005-06 4,285 
			 (1) Information is not available to differentiate between mainstream employers and other companies. 
		
	
	
		
			  People who have transferred from Remploy businesses to Remploy Interwork 
			  April to March  Number 
			 2001-02 98 
			 2002-03 93 
			 2003-04 58 
			 2004-05 12 
			 2005-06 22

Remploy

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what types of training schemes are available to people through Remploy Interwork;
	(2)  how many people have undertaken work-related training schemes through Remploy Interwork in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: Remploy Interwork provides vocational skills development programmes to build up knowledge of specific work sectors and training to develop basic work and presentational skills.
	All disabled people entering a Remploy Interwork programme receive an individual tailored programme of support and training.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Disabled people who have undertaken a work-related training scheme through Remploy Interwork 
			  April to March  Number 
			 2001-02 (1)— 
			 2002-03 3,422 
			 2003-04 8,995 
			 2004-05 7,061 
			 2005-06 7,167 
			 (1) Information is not held by Remploy.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund

David Laws: To ask the Leader of the House 
	(1)  how much was spent on the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund and its predecessors in each year since 1980-81; what forecasts he has made of how much will be spent in each year between 2007-08 and 2050-51; and how many members of the scheme there are;
	(2)  what recent estimate he has made of the  (a) rate and  (b) annual cost of employer contributions to the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF) is a fully-funded pension scheme whose costs are met from Members' contributions, investment returns and an Exchequer contribution. The Government Actuary undertakes a triennial valuation in which he makes recommendations as to the necessary Exchequer contribution to the PCPF. This can rise or fall depending on factors such as predicted investment returns and longevity assumptions. The value of the Exchequer contributions since 1978-79 is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  PCPF exchequer contribution rate (Percentage of Members' salaries)  PCPF exchequer contribution rate (Percentage of office holders' salaries)  PCPF exchequer contribution (£ million) 
			 1978-79 18.5 18.5 4.07 in aggregate over a 3-year period 
			 1979-80 16 16 See above 
			 1980-81 16 16 See above 
			 1981-82 16 16 5.55 in aggregate over a 3-year period 
			 1982-83 16 16 See above 
			 1983-84 20 14 See above 
			 1984-85 20 14 8.21 in aggregate over a 3-year period 
			 1985-86 20 14 See above 
			 1986-87 20 14 See above 
			 1987-88 19 13 6.65 in aggregate over a 3-year period 
			 1988-89 19 13 See above 
			 1989-90 4.4 4.4 See above 
			 1990-91 4.4 4.4 0.88 
			 1991-92 4.4 4.4 0.94 
			 1992-93 6.8 6.8 1.52 
			 1993-94 6.8 6.8 1.54 
			 1994-95 6.8 6.8 1.59 
			 1995-96 7.6 6.8 1.83 
			 1996-97 9.6 6.8 2.75 
			 1997-98 9.6 7.6 3.04 
			 1998-99 7.6 6.8 2.49 
			 1999-2000 7.5 7.5 2.56 
			 2000-01 7.5 7.5 2.66 
			 2001-02 7.5 7.5 2.86 
			 2002-03 7.9 7.9 3.26 
			 2003-04 24 24 9.82 
			 2004-05 24 24 9.96 
			 2005-06 24 24 10.17 
			  Notes:  1. The above costs include contributions payable in respect of pensions provided for MPs, Ministers and office holders.  2. Contribution rates for 1978 to 1981 were based on a notional salary figure. 
		
	
	In the triennial valuation report laid before the House in March 2006, the Government Actuary's Department (GAD) calculated the Exchequer contribution should be 26.8 per cent. of pensionable pay from 2006-07 until 2020-21 and then 18.1 per cent. of pensionable pay thereafter. The estimated cost of contributions payable by the Exchequer for 2006-07 to 2008-09, the period until the next triennial valuation, is £11.9 million per annum. As at 31 March 2006 the membership of the PCPF was as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Current members 668 
			 Deferred members (former MPs, Ministers and office holders not yet in receipt of a pension) 228 
			 Pensioners 908

Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund

David Laws: To ask the Leader of the House 
	(1)  what the arrangements are for the payment of pensions to people who retire early through ill-health for the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund; what the incidence of the health retirement was as a percentage of all retirements from the scheme for each year since 1988-89; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the current rate of ill-health retirement is for the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The granting of early retirement is a matter for the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF) trustees. A current Member who ceases to serve as an MP or Office Holder prior to age 65 and who applies to retire because of ill-health, is required to be examined by a medical practitioner appointed by the trustees to advise on whether his or her ill-health would prevent him or her from performing adequately the duties of a MP. The resulting medical report is considered by the trustees. A former MP or Office Holder may also apply to receive an ill-health pension, subject to confirming that he or she does not intend to seek election to the House or accept any future offer to serve as an Office Holder, and the medical practitioner confirming that the former member has retired from 'gainful work' as a direct consequence of ill-health.
	The incidence of ill health retirements of current and former Members from the Fund between 1987 and 2005 is shown in the following table.
	Statistics for each individual year are not available.
	
		
			Of which: 
			  Period (as at 1 April each year)  Total retirements  Retirements paid early on ill health grounds  Percentage paid early on ill health grounds 
			 1987-1990 101 6 6 
			 1990-93 104 5 5 
			 1993-96 40 2 5 
			 1996-99 168 8 5 
			 1999-2002 99 6 6 
			 2002-05 58 2 3 
		
	
	Serving Members who are awarded an ill-health pension are provided with a pension that they could have expected to receive had they served as an MP up to age 65. Former Members awarded an ill-health pension receive their pension built up to the date of retirement without actuarial reduction for early payment.

Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund

David Laws: To ask the Leader of the House 
	(1)  what the current  (a) accrual rate and  (b) normal retirement age is for the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the  (a) present and  (b) future retirement age arrangements are for the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund.

Jack Straw: The accrual rate for the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF) is 1/40(th) of final salary for each year of service with an option to pay a lower contribution rate for 1/50(th) accrual. The normal retirement age in the PCPF is 65. There are no plans to change the normal retirement age.
	Members who have served as an MP since 2 April 1991 can receive a pension on retirement before 65, subject to having completed 15 years as an MP. The pension is actuarially reduced to take account of early payment. Members elected before 4 November 2004 can also currently draw an early retirement pension without any reduction being applied for early payment if they are aged 60 or above and their combined age and service under the scheme totals 80 or more at date of retirement. In agreeing to phase out this retirement provision, the House decided in 2004 that only service up to 1 April 2009 or the next General Election, whichever was the later, would count towards the qualifying period for early retirement.

Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund

David Laws: To ask the Leader of the House what estimate he has made of the unfunded liability, in present value terms, of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund; and what assumptions for  (a) discount rate and  (b) longevity is the estimate based upon.

Jack Straw: The Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF) is a fully funded pension scheme. Following the triennial actuarial valuation report laid before the House in March 2006 by the Government Actuary, the Exchequer contribution was increased from 1 April 2006 to the equivalent of 26.8 per cent. of Members' salaries. There is no unfunded liability.

September Sittings

Frank Doran: To ask the Leader of the House what business was conducted on each day the House sat in September 2003 and September 2004; what the hours of sitting were on each day; and how many  (a) divisions took place and  (b) hon. Members took part in each division.

Jack Straw: The House held normal sittings in September in 2003 and 2004 for eight and seven days respectively. There were emergency recalls in 1990 (two days), 1992 (two days), 1998 (two days), 2001 (three separate days) and 2002 (one day). The information for 2003 and 2004 is as follows:
	
		
			  September sitting: 2003 
			  Date  Business  Hours sat  Divisions and number voting 
			 Monday 8 September Second Reading: Water Bill 8.34 Three: 492; 485; 474 
			 Tuesday 9 September Opposition Day (Con) (Iraq and Teacher Shortages) 9.26 Two: 448; 438 
			 Wednesday 10 September Opposition Day (Lib Dem) (Old Age and Iraq) 8.15 Three: 373; 389; 338 Three deferred: 390; 295; 388 
			 Thursday 11 September Government adjournment: Defence 7.00 None 
			 Monday 15 September Lords Amendments: Local Government Bill 7.57 Four: 338; 377; 412; 
			 Tuesday 16 September Opposition Day (Con) (Electricity and EU Constitution) 8.22 Three: 456; 427; 406 
			 Wednesday 17 September Remaining Stages: Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc) Bill and Lords Amendments: Local Government Bill 13.20 Six: 332; 328; 337; 346; 343; 333 
			 Thursday 18 September Second Reading: Arms Control and Disarmament (Inspections) Bill [ Lords] 4.56 None 
		
	
	There were also sittings in Westminster Hall on eight days and 2,888 parliamentary questions were dealt with.
	
		
			  September sitting: 2004 
			  Date  Business  Hours sat  Divisions and number voting 
			 Tuesday 7 September Second Reading: Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Bill [Lords] 6.52 None 
			 Wednesday 8 September Opposition Day (Con) (Pensions and MRSA) 8.30 Three: 501; 497; 468 
			 Thursday 9 September Government adjournment (European Constitution) 7.02 None 
			 Monday 13 September Second Reading: Children Bill [Lords] 8.40 One (programme motion): 313 
			 Tuesday 14 September Opposition Day (Lib Dem) (Higher Education and Older Women) 8.30 Four: 441; 442; 432; 423 
			 Wednesday 15 September Remaining Stages: Hunting Bill 11.18 Eight: 468; 477; 467; 466; 522; 357; 337; 494 
			 Thursday 16 September Lords Amendments: Employment Relations Bill; Government adjournment (HIV/AIDS) 7.00 None 
		
	
	There were also sittings in Westminster Hall on six days and 2,201 parliamentary questions dealt with.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Age Discrimination

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if his Department will  (a) carry out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its work force,  (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers,  (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and  (d) extend to over-fifties the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID regularly monitors the age profile of its workforce as part of our wider approach to diversity monitoring. DFID produces an Annual Diversity Report. This looks at age data for recruitment, promotions, staff satisfaction and staff leaving DFID.
	The Department has reviewed its policies to ensure we comply with the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations introduced on 1 October 2006 and promote good practice on age. The trade union side and the chair of the General Advisory Group on Diversity were consulted.
	DFID applies the same training needs assessment procedures to all staff, irrespective of age. All DFID staff have the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off.
	Older staff can choose to either work reduced hours or downgrade as part of their preparations for retirement. DFID's procedure for considering requests to work beyond our default retirement age of 65 includes the option of agreeing flexible working options.

Conflict Affected/Low Income States

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of children in countries designated  (a) conflict-affected fragile states and  (b) low income countries go to school.

Hilary Benn: The primary source of global data on out of school children is the Education for All Global Monitoring Report. The 2007 report was launched on 26 October. Using the data in the report of the numbers of primary school age children and those out of school, the percentages of primary aged children enrolled in school are calculated as  (a) conflict-affected fragile states 79 per cent. and  (b) low income countries 84 per cent. The report does not have data for seven conflict affected fragile states and 18 low income countries.
	The designation of conflict-affected fragile states used in the calculation is from the Failed States Index (2005) and the Heidelberg Institute on International Conflict Research (2004). DFID is currently reviewing its use of a list of fragile states because countries frequently move in and out of conflict and political circumstances in a country can rapidly change. DFID uses the World Bank's Country Income Groups for the classification of low income countries.

Conflict Affected/Low Income States

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries his Department categorises as  (a) conflict-affected fragile states and  (b) low income countries; and what funding his Department has allocated to those countries in each category in each of the last five years.

Hilary Benn: The designation of conflict-affected fragile states is taken from the Failed States Index (2005) and the Heidelberg Institute on International Conflict Research Conflict Barometer (2004). These countries are Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Laos, Nigeria, Nepal, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda and Yemen. DFID is currently reviewing its use of a list of fragile states because countries frequently move in and out of conflict and political circumstances in a country can rapidly change.
	DFID uses the World Bank's Country Income Groups for the classification of low income countries. DFID, in line with the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD, update income group classifications every three years. For the purposes of the 2003-06 and 2005-08 Public Service Agreements, DFID use the World Bank thresholds based on GNI per capita in 2001 of less than US$746. Latest figures in our publication "Statistics on International Development" use the 2004 classification.
	The list of 2004 low income countries, which includes 59 countries, appears in "Statistics on International Development", published on 26 October 2006 on the DFID website (www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/sid2006/sid06-full.pdf, Annex 1, page 142). Hard copies will be available in the House of Commons Library.
	Expenditure in conflict-affected fragile states and low income countries in each of the last five years can also be found in "Statistics on International Development" (table 12, pages 65-101).

Departmental Dress Code

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is on the display of religious (i) artefacts, (ii) symbols and (iii) dress by its staff; how many staff have been subject to disciplinary proceedings regarding this policy in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID's policy on religion or belief outlines that staff are welcome to display religious artefacts or symbols, or wear cultural or religious dress. This is part of our wider efforts to encourage the celebration of religious diversity.
	However, it does make clear that religious materials should only be sent to other staff if there is a clear DFID business need, or if it improves the understanding of culture or diversity within the organisation or countries with which DFID work. It should not be circulated for missionary purposes or to achieve converts to any religion or belief.
	DFID did not hold a central disciplinary record until October 2004. Data show there have been no cases of disciplinary action taken against staff in respect of our religion or belief policy.

Departmental Mail

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the Department's mail is shipped using private companies; and what the cost was over the last 12 months.

Gareth Thomas: Approximately 60 per cent. of DFID's mail is sent via a private sector contractor, point-to-point between our two UK offices. The cost of this service for the last financial year was £24,897. All remaining post is sent via the Royal Mail.

HIV/AIDS

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effect of networks of clinics in developing countries that provide local communities with sexual and reproductive health services on efforts to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has recently completed a study on the links between sexual and reproductive health and rights and the AIDS response. The study included a review of the experience of programmes to link sexual and reproductive health and HIV and AIDS services. For example a South African NGO, LoveLife, provided youth friendly services for sexual and reproductive health and HIV in combination with a multi-media information campaign aimed at young people. Changes in HIV prevalence and sexual behaviour were tracked through the National Youth Survey. The survey results demonstrated that participation in the programme was associated with decreased odds of HIV infection and increased the odds of young men and women using condoms.
	The DFID review concluded that there is emerging consensus, backed up by growing evidence, on the main priorities for developing links between sexual and reproductive health and HIV and AIDS services. The challenge now is to support national governments to scale up the provision of evidence based and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services for all vulnerable groups including women and girls, men who have sex with men and sex workers.

IT Projects

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which information technology projects are being undertaken by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies; what the (i) start date, (ii) original planned completion date, (iii) expected completion date, (iv) originally planned costs and (v) estimated costs are of each; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: DFID is currently undertaking three major IT projects.
	The contract for the Quest Electronic Document and Records Management project was signed in March 2004. The main rollout was originally estimated to be completed in December 2005. Detailed planning carried out in early 2005 led to a revised target date of March 2006, which was met. The projected supplier base cost at tender was £8.98 million. The projected total supplier cost is now £11.52 million, which includes implementation of a number of options available under the original contract but not included in the base cost.
	The contract for the ARIES Finance, Procurement and Reporting System was signed in November 2005. The rollout is estimated to be complete by October 2008. The projected supplier base cost at tender was £11 million. A number of additional cost options are available under the contract. The ARIES project is currently on track to deliver to time and budget.
	The HR Transformation project was initiated in March 2005 and has a budget of £6.5 million. It is primarily a business change project but it includes enhancements to the existing HR system and a number of smaller IT enabled components. The planned completion date is the March 2008. The project is currently on track to deliver to time and budget.
	DFID has also let a number of small IT related contracts. However, our central records do not distinguish IT contracts, so provision of details for these contracts would incur disproportionate costs.

Pakistan

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of efforts to assist reconstruction following the earthquake in Pakistan; and what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation, with particular reference to the onset of winter.

Gareth Thomas: I have recently visited the earthquake affected areas and was able to see first hand the current situation and changes that have taken place one year on from the earthquake. Much progress has already been achieved, including semi-permanent shelters for thousands of affectees and all transitional health and education facilities made functional through the provision of interim structures like pre-fabricated buildings and weather proof tents.
	The immediate challenge for the Pakistani Government is the on-coming winter for which, in collaboration with NGO's and donors, they have prepared a comprehensive winter contingency plan. The UK stands by to provide additional assistance if required during this period.

Water and Sanitation

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of bilateral assistance on water and sanitation was provided to  (a) public,  (b) community-based and  (c) private schemes in each of the five countries that received the most bilateral assistance from the UK for this sector in 2005-06.

Hilary Benn: Countries receiving the most bilateral assistance from DFID in the sector:
	
		
			   2005-06 (£ million) 
			 India 27.2 
			 Sudan 11.3 
			 DR Congo 6.7 
			 Pakistan 6.7 
			 Iraq 6.1 
		
	
	DFID works with the UN, governments and others on programmes with a range of factors including public utilities, local civil society and private sector operators. It is difficult to break down country level expenditure to distinguish between public, private and community based support using our standard reporting procedures. DFID hires consultants to produce detailed analysis of its water and sanitation expenditure. They reported around 95 per cent. of DFID's bilateral support to the sector was predominantly through governments and not-for-profit or humanitarian agencies in 2003-04. 2005-06 figures are expected by end 2006.

Water and Sanitation

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial assistance his Department provides to support knowledge transfer between well-performing public utilities and less well-performing ones in the water and sanitation sectors of developing countries.

Hilary Benn: DFID committed £1.05 million for 2006-07 to support the World Bank led programme, the International Benchmarking Network for Water and Sanitation Utilities (IBNET). This measures the performance of water service providers across the world. DFID has recently met with representatives of the UN Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation who are developing Water Operators' Partnerships. These are intended to enable well-performing utilities to support utilities that are struggling to provide adequate water and sanitation services. DFID is considering how it might support this programme.

West Bank and Gaza

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are being taken to alleviate the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza in the interim period while aid to the Palestinian Authority is withheld.

Hilary Benn: The UK Government are extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This is caused by the conflict with Israel; an economic downturn due to restrictions on movement and access and the Palestinian Authority's fiscal crisis, which has meant it has been unable to pay salaries. The fiscal crisis is mainly the result of the withholding of clearance revenues by Israel and a downturn in domestically generated revenues. The suspension of budgetary support by donors has played a less significant role.
	The suspension of budgetary support has been necessary following the Hamas-led Government's failure to renounce violence, recognise Israel and sign up to previous peace agreements. However, the international community is doing what it can to address the humanitarian situation. The European Community has increased its aid from €250 million to €340 million this year. UK bilateral aid levels have remained constant at £30 million this financial year.
	A Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) has been set up to support Palestinians directly instead of going through the Palestinian Authority. DFID intends to contribute up to £12 million to the TIM and the European Community is contributing €105 million. So far the TIM has delivered 2.6 million litres of fuel to keep water, sanitation and health care facilities running; allowances for over 63,000 Palestinian Government workers; and welfare payments to over 40,000 of the poorest Palestinians.
	DFID has provided £15 million this financial year to support Palestinian refugees, through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA). DFID also gives core funding to other UN agencies which are helping to address the humanitarian situation including the World Food Programme and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Furthermore, we have deployed two experts to OCHA to improve its ability to monitor the humanitarian situation in Gaza. These experts will help to make sure that aid gets to those who need it the most.

World Poverty Day

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what events were organised by his Department to mark World Poverty Day on 17 October.

Hilary Benn: DFID supports the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October because it highlights the tremendous support shown by people all over the world for the world's poor. I marked World Poverty Day by publishing a statement on the DFID website, which featured progress made by DFID and the G8 countries since Gleneagles in fighting world poverty. In the run-up to World Poverty Day we used the DFID website to promote the UN Millennium Campaign's Stand Up Against Poverty initiative. I congratulate them on setting a Guinness World Record: 23.5 million people in more than 100 countries took part in the challenge.

TRANSPORT

Airports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research  (a) has been undertaken by and  (b) is available to his Department on future projections of the need for airport capacity in Sheffield and South Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: "The Future of Air Transport" White Paper sets out the conclusions of the Government on the case for future expansion at airports, following extensive study and consultation. The Government's consultation document on the future demand for regional air services in the north of England preceded the White Paper and informed its content.

Airports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 13 September 2006,  Official Report, columns 2264-65W, on Sheffield airport, what assessment the Government have made of the implications for  (a) road traffic and  (b) public transport of developing the (i) airport at Doncaster and (ii) airport at Sheffield.

Gillian Merron: "The Future of Air Transport" White Paper made clear that the future development of Robin Hood airport Doncaster Sheffield and Sheffield city airport would need to be determined through the normal regional and local planning processes. Surface access provision will be addressed alongside other planning considerations.

Airports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 13 September 2006,  Official Report, columns 2264-65W, on Sheffield airport, what assessment the Government have made of the need for an airport in  (a) Sheffield and  (b) Doncaster.

Gillian Merron: The Government's policy on the development of airport capacity in the United Kingdom is contained in "The Future of Air Transport" White Paper, following extensive study and consultation. The White Paper made clear that the future development of Robin Hood airport Doncaster Sheffield and Sheffield city airport would need to be determined through the normal regional and local planning processes.

Airports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 13 September 2006,  Official Report, columns 2264-65W, on Sheffield airport, whether Sheffield and Doncaster airports are owned in whole or in part by the same person.

Gillian Merron: Robin Hood airport Doncaster Sheffield is owned and operated by Peel Airports Group. Peel Airports and Sheffield Business Park Ltd. are joint owners of Sheffield city airport.

Airports

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 13 September 2006,  Official Report, columns 2264-65W, on Sheffield airport, whether  (a) his Department and  (b) legal provisions require the runway at Sheffield airport to be accessible for general aviation.

Gillian Merron: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for regulating civil airports in the United Kingdom. The CAA is not aware of any legal provisions that prevent access to the runway at Sheffield city airport by general aviation. In licensing Sheffield city airport, the CAA does not confer on any person the right to use the aerodrome without the consent of the licensee.

Aviation Noise

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with transport ministers from other EU member states about problem aviation noise from small airfields.

Gillian Merron: None.

Databases (Security Breaches)

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many confirmed security breaches of databases controlled by his Department occurred in each of the last five years; whether the breach resulted from internal or external sources in each case; how many records were compromised on each occasion; and what estimate was made of the total number of records accessible to the individuals concerned.

Gillian Merron: There have been no confirmed security breaches from external sources to databases controlled by the Department for Transport and its agencies in the last five years.
	Confirmed breaches committed by staff over this period are:
	
		
			   Number of breaches  Number of records compromised  Estimate of total number of records accessible 
			 2002 1 20 (1)— 
			 2003 2 3 (1)— 
			 2004 1 13 (1)— 
			 2005 2 20 (1)— 
			 2006 2 40 (1)— 
			 (1) Unknown.

Departmental Estate

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what properties his Department has  (a) owned,  (b) rented and  (c) occupied at 42-48 Wigmore Street, London, since 1997; for what period each property has been owned, rented or occupied; what the cost to public funds has been of each property; and what the name is of the landlord of properties rented or leased.

Gillian Merron: The Department was formed in 2002. In the period since then to date we have not owned, leased, rented or occupied any properties at 42-48 Wigmore Street, London.

Dual Carriageways

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  when work to dual the A358 from Ilminster to Taunton will  (a) begin and  (b) conclude; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans there are to dual additional stretches of the A303 over the next decade; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: We are currently considering the inter-Departmental Review Group's report on options for improving the A303 past Stonehenge and will announce our conclusions in due course. The timing of other proposed improvements to the A303 to the west of Stonehenge, and the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton, will be influenced by our conclusions on the Stonehenge scheme. In considering the timetable for these scheme we will also take account of the south-west region's advice that, within the regional funding allocation for major transport schemes in the south-west, a start should be made on either the A303 Stonehenge scheme or on the A303 Ilminster bypass improvement and improvements to the A358 to Taunton within the next 10 years, and that other A303 schemes are for the longer term, beyond 2016. The Highways Agency is continuing to prepare the A303 Ilminster bypass improvement and improvement to the A358 from Ilminster to Taunton so that these schemes can be considered for entry into the targeted programme of improvements in due course.

Eurostar Services

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will commission a new review of the viability of extending Eurostar services to regional destinations taking into account the  (a) social,  (b) economic and  (c) environmental benefits.

Tom Harris: Any changes to Eurostar service patterns are a matter for Eurostar. The Department for Transport has no plans to undertake any review of the viability of extending Eurostar services to regional destinations.

Funeral Limousines

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Government plan to include the private hire of funeral limousines in the exemption for private hire when transposing EU Directive 2003/20/EC into UK law.

Stephen Ladyman: No. The exception from the compulsory use of child seats or boosters by children permitted by the directive is for taxis. Updated regulations came into force on 18 September 2006 in Great Britain. For this purpose, they apply the exception to licensed taxis and licensed private hire vehicles only. Drivers of these vehicles cannot be expected to know in advance which and how many child seats or boosters may be required by child passengers. However, funeral directors do liaise with bereaved families over arrangements and therefore can arrange to take into account the need for child seats/boosters for child passengers when travelling in dedicated funeral vehicles.

Government Social Research Service

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost was of the Government Social Research Service in his Department in each of the last five years; how many projects have been completed by the service in that period; and how many people are employed in the service in his Department.

Gillian Merron: The total cost of the Government Social Research Service since the Department for Transport was established in May 2002 is estimated as follows:
	
		
			   Amount (£) 
			 2002-03 2,671,087 
			 2003-04 2,503,123 
			 2004-05 2,622,204 
			 2005-06 3,053,447 
		
	
	During this period 64 projects have been completed. The Department employs 15 Government Social Research Service staff.

Highways Agency (Animal Welfare)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money has been spent in total by the Highways Agency on  (a) projects relating to animal welfare and  (b) the purchase and installation of bat boxes; who determines (i) whether such expenditure is appropriate and (ii) the levels thereof; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency is committed to minimising the impact of the trunk road network (in England) on both the natural and built environment and to playing a full role in implementing the Government's Biodiversity Action Plan. Where appropriate, the agency undertakes works to mitigate for the impact of its operational, maintenance and improvement works, which may include the provision of animal welfare measures. These measures include the provision of animal crossings in the form of tunnels and adapted farm crossings and underpasses. Appropriate fencing may be included to both prevent animals crossing the carriageway and direct the animals to a safe crossing facility. They also undertake specific enhancement measures, such as the provision of bat boxes as part of commitments set out in the Highways Agency Biodiversity Action Plan (HABAP). Finally, the agency also undertakes research to support the development of advice in relation to the effectiveness of such measures.
	With respect to expenditure, mitigation and enhancement measures are often provided as part of larger scheme budgets and specific costs are not available. However as part of its HABAP commitments, the agency has installed in excess of 920 bat boxes since 2002. Each of these enhancement schemes has been evaluated through a value management process, to ensure that works are appropriate and represent value for money. Other works are evaluated through cost challenge workshops or similar procedures for assessing value for money.

Laser Speed Meters

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received on the T12020 laser speed meter since its introduction.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	A number of representations have been received since the introduction of the LTI.20.20 the exact number could not be extracted from our records without disproportionate cost.

M1

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many workmen are employed on the road widening scheme between junctions 8 and 10 of the M1 motorway; and how many work during the  (a) daytime and  (b) hours of darkness.

Stephen Ladyman: There are an average of 372 operatives and supervisors working on the M1 widening scheme between junctions 8 and 10. Of these, 347 work during the daytime and 25 during the night.

Railway Services

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the reason was for the delay of a number of trains on 1 September between Ingatestone and Chelmsford; what steps are in place to reduce the reoccurrence of similar such incidents; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: The root cause of the event that resulted in service disruption on the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) on 1 September is still the subject of investigation by Network Rail. It is known that a train pantograph clashed with the overhead wiring structure to bring the wiring down. Following a detailed review of this and other incidents resulting in overhead line failures, a number of actions are being implemented to improve the monitoring and future maintenance of the equipment.

Railway Services

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with officials of GNER since 1 October.

Tom Harris: GNER have had discussions with officials in the Department, they have had none with Ministers.

Railway Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much public money has been allocated to the new South Western Trains franchise for each year of its operation.

Tom Harris: A subsidy is to be paid to SWT for the first three financial years of the franchise:
	2006-07: £16.2 million;
	2007-08: £61.2 million; and
	2008-09: £23.2 million.
	Thereafter SWT pay a premium to the DfT:
	2009-10: £36.5 million;
	2010-11: £74.4 million;
	2011-12: £117.4 million;
	2012-13: £160.1 million;
	2013-14: £193.9 million;
	2014-15: £223.6 million;
	2015-16: £250.4 million;
	2016-17: £235.2 million.
	All the above are Net Present Value.

Railway Services

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the decision to charge an admission fee to public conveniences situated at some railway stations; what discussions took place with user groups before fees were implemented; what assessment has been made of the effect of fees on disabled and unwaged groups; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: Railway stations are owned by Network Rail and managed by Network Rail or Train Operators. It is for these parties, in consultation with stakeholders, to plan the facilities at stations and decide upon what charges might apply.

Railway Services

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of London's rail stations on Network Southeast have been upgraded to accept the Oyster pay-as-you-go travel card since May 2006; and when the upgrade of all of the stations will be completed.

Tom Harris: At present, Oyster Pay As You Go is not valid on national rail, and the only rail stations equipped for Oyster Pay As You Go are those which are also served by Underground trains. However, in May we announced that agreement has been reached with Transport for London to fund installation of Oyster equipment at all the remaining national rail stations in London. Coupled with the new simplified rail fares for London which we announced on 19 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 61-62WS, this paves the way for Oyster Pay As You Go to be rolled out across national rail in London over the next few years.

Railway Services

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made since 2004 by regional railway tsars in  (a) reducing the burden of administration and  (b) ensuring greater train punctuality; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: Network Rail is responsible for monitoring the performance of passenger rail services. Since July 2004, punctuality of passenger trains has improved from 81.5 per cent. to 87.4 per cent.

Railway Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of vandalism there were on  (a) trains,  (b) stations,  (c) railway tracks and  (d) railway depots in 2005-06, broken down by police authority area.

Tom Harris: This information is not held by the Department for Transport but by the British transport police who can be contacted at:
	British Transport Police,
	25 Camden Road,
	London NW1 9LN,
	E-mail: general.enquiries@btp.pnn.police.uk.

Road Freight

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated levels of road freight in the UK were in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: Estimates for the UK are not available. Annual figures for the level of road freight activity by GB-registered goods vehicles in Great Britain, excluding foreign vehicle activity, (measured both in tonnes and tonne kilometres) are published in Table 4.1 of Section 4 of the Department of Transport's annual statistical compendium "Transport Statistics Great Britain 2005". This publication can be accessed on the Department's website. The link to Section 4 is:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/page/dft_transstats_041493.pdf.

Roads Funding

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average cost was of constructing a mile of  (a) motorway,  (b) additional lane of motorway and  (c) trunk road in the latest period for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The average cost for constructing a mile of motorway is £29.9 million. I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer of 13 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1116W, for the cost of an additional kilometre of lane of motorway in the period of 2005-06 as the latest available. The equivalent rate per mile is £10 million. The average cost for trunk roads of constructing a mile of dual carriageway is £16.2 million and single carriageway £10.6 million.

Shiplake Level Crossing

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the safety of the Shiplake level crossing in South Oxfordshire; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: The Office of Rail Regulation's Her Majesty's Railways Inspectorate (HMRI) has inspected the crossing both before and after the recent incident, of 24 July 2006, involving a train collision with a road vehicle. HMRI found that the protective measures for the crossing were in line with published guidance for this type of crossing and that there were no significant irregularities.
	The Office of Rail Regulation and the industry continue to work to improve safety at all level crossings by addressing the root causes of accidents. However, as an estimated 96 per cent. of all level crossing accidents are caused by user misuse, level crossing users also have a role to play.

Speed Humps

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of occasions across England where highways authorities have installed speed humps which were later  (a) modified and  (b) removed; what the cost to public funds has been of the work; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Local authorities have the power to introduce or modify traffic calming schemes without approval from the Department. As such there are no central records which contain this information.

Thameslink 2000

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an estimate of the required funding for Thameslink 2000; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: Network Rail, in their Initial Strategic Business Plan (July 2006) has estimated the cost of the Thameslink Programme to be £3.5 billion (at 2006 prices).
	However, a funding decision will be considered over the next few months in the light of the emerging conclusions of the cross-government Comprehensive Spending Review and the development of the new High Level Output Specification for Network Rail.

Thameslink 2000

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a decision on the required funding for Thameslink 2000; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: A funding decision on the Thameslink programme cannot be made in isolation and will be considered over the next few months in the light of the emerging conclusions of the cross-government Comprehensive Spending Review and the development of the new high level output specification for the railway.

Transport Security

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on transport security.

Gillian Merron: The Government take the security of all transport systems very seriously. Protective security programmes exist for the aviation, maritime and land transport sectors. These security programmes are kept under continuous review. Regular meetings are held with each of the industries about the measures and procedures in place.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Affordable Housing

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will take steps to ensure that  (a) residential areas have adequate provision of open spaces and play areas and  (b) affordable family homes have garden space.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The Government have already put in place policy for the provision and protection of open spaces and play areas. Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: "Open Space, Sport and Recreation" requires local planning authorities to make rigorous assessments of the existing and future needs of their communities for open space, including play areas. They should set standards in their plans which ensure adequate provision for open space as part of new housing developments.
	Planning Policy Statement 3: "Housing", when it is published later this year, will further emphasise the need for local planning authorities to assess the extent to which new housing development provides, or enables access to, community green space and open space, as well as private outdoor areas such as gardens. It will also emphasise that local planning authorities should take account of the need to provide play space for family housing in determining the size and type of affordable housing needed for their areas.

Age Discrimination

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if her Department will  (a) carry out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its workforce,  (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers,  (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and  (d) extend to over-fifties the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has a personnel information system which holds staff records and therefore DCLG is aware of the age breakdown of its workforce.
	There is no default age for retirement for staff below the senior civil service grades allowing an individual to continue work providing they receive satisfactory reports and have a good attendance and conduct record.
	All staff irrespective of age are encouraged to access the learning portal which is available on their desks via the intranet to help them identify their development needs and select a suitable learning intervention.
	Staff of any age may apply to work more flexibly and DCLG currently offers the following wherever practicable:
	Reduced hours
	Working at home
	Condensed hours
	Part year working
	Term time working
	Job share
	This is in addition to the normal flexi time arrangements which are also available to all staff.

Building Standards

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to promote higher environmental building standards in publicly funded buildings.

Angela Smith: Earlier this year the Government amended the Building Regulations to increase the mandatory standards for energy efficiency. The new measures taken together with changes to strengthen Building Regulations in 2002 improve standards by 40 per cent. These tough new standards which came into effect on 6 April 2006 apply to all new buildings and when building work is carried out in existing buildings
	The Building Regulations set minimum standards, but in addition from 1 April 2006, all new homes receiving Government funding will have to meet the new Ecohomes Very Good 2006 standard.

Departmental Expenditure

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department has spent on external speechwriters in each year since 2002, broken down by the company used.

Angela Smith: The Department for Communities and Local Government has not spent any money on external speechwriters.

Departmental Expenditure

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how much her Department spent on taxis in the most recent year for which figures are available;
	(2)  how much the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister spent on taxi fares in 2005-06.

Angela Smith: In 2005-06, the most recent year for which figures are available, the Department of Communities and Local Government spent £148,080 on taxi fares.

Departmental Redundancies

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many redundancies there were in her Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of such redundancies was in each year; how many temporary staff were employed in each year; and how many staff were seconded by outside organisations to posts within her Department in each year.

Angela Smith: Information prior to the creation of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on 5 May 2006 is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	From 5 May 2006 there have been no compulsory redundancies in DCLG. DCLG has employed 74 temporary staff. 221 staff from outside organisations have been seconded into DCLG.

Deputy Prime Minister

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the estimated  (a) monthly and  (b) annual cost is of the staff seconded to the Deputy Prime Minister from her Department.

Angela Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 72W.

Disabled Facilities

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she will make a statement on the future of the disabled facilities grant.

Phil Woolas: The interdepartmental report "Reviewing the disabled facilities grant programme" was published in October 2005. This was an independent report on the operation of DFG prepared by Bristol University. The Government undertook to respond to this report's recommendations in the form of a consultation paper, which will be published shortly.

Empty Dwellings

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether a vacant principal residence the owner of which is obliged by a long-standing lease agreement to live as a tenant elsewhere may be subject to an Empty Dwellings Management Order.

Yvette Cooper: An unoccupied dwelling that is the principal residence of a person who is temporarily resident elsewhere is exempt from the legislation on Empty Dwelling Management Orders by virtue of exceptions in the Housing (Empty Dwelling Management Orders) (Prescribed Exceptions and Requirements (England) Order 2006. Second homes are also exempt. Where a dwelling is not exempt by virtue of the order the decision whether to make an Empty Dwelling Management Order is at the discretion of the local authority and is subject to approval by a Residential Property Tribunal.

Energy Efficiency (Building Regulations)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions she has had with stakeholders on the use of low energy technology to achieve compliance with planning regulations.

Angela Smith: holding answer 25 October 2006
	Amended Building Regulations were introduced in April 2006 to improve mandatory standards for energy efficiency and encourage the use of low energy technologies. In advance of this amendment a comprehensive review took place, including a formal public consultation exercise, involving a wide range of stakeholders. Improving compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations featured prominently in this review.

EU Directive 2002/91/EC

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles), 10 July 2006,  Official Report, on EU Directive 2002/91/EC, when a copy of the report will be placed in the Library.

Angela Smith: I apologise that administrative oversight meant that a copy of the National Energy Services report "An accreditation scheme for energy inspectors Phase 1: Scoping Study" was not placed in the Library on 10 July as we had intended. The report was correctly placed in the Library on 16 October

Home Condition Reports/Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in what ways sellers will be encouraged to take up voluntary home condition reports from June 2007.

Yvette Cooper: The promotion of voluntary home condition reports from June will be informed by the area trials beginning next month.

Home Condition Reports/Information Packs

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many home information packs have been produced on a voluntary basis.

Yvette Cooper: More than 15,500 partial home information packs have been produced since the first phase of the home information pack dry-run commenced in November 2005.

Home Condition Reports/Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding her Department provided to the Association of Home Information Pack Providers in  (a) 2004-05 and  (b) 2005-06; and what estimated levels will be provided in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09.

Yvette Cooper: The Department has not provided any funding to the Association of Home Information Pack Providers and has no plans to do so.

Home Condition Reports/Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how individual home sellers will be approached to participate in the Home Information Pack dry run.

Yvette Cooper: We will be using local media to inform sellers of the opportunity to have a Home Information Pack (HIP) and the benefits of doing so. We would also expect participating estate agents to explain the benefits of HIPs when discussing new instructions with clients.

Home Condition Reports/Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which companies are participating in the Home Information Pack dry run.

Yvette Cooper: More than 200 organisations have come forward to participate in the dry run. Of these, more than 70 are involved already. A list of organisations participating in the national dry run is available on our website and we will shortly be publishing details of participants in the six area trials. Both of these websites will be updated on an ongoing basis.

Home Ownership Schemes

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many home ownership schemes for key workers and other target groups are in operation; what public subsidy they receive; how many homes are involved; and what estimate she has made of the number of such homes which have been allocated to low paid workers and those in key occupations.

Yvette Cooper: Our new HomeBuy scheme offers three products based on equity sharing. Social HomeBuy enables tenants of local authorities and housing associations to buy a share in their current home at a discount, New Build HomeBuy enables people to buy a share of a newly built property paying a rent on the remainder, (including the First Time Buyers Initiative, which uses public sector land) and Open Market HomeBuy enables people to buy a property on the open market with the help of an equity loan.
	Priority groups for our HomeBuy products are social tenants, key workers as defined under the Key Worker Living Programme and other first time buyers nominated by the Regional Housing Boards. We aim to help 35,000 people into homeownership through our HomeBuy programme over the next two years with increased investment of £970 million through the Housing Corporation's Affordable Housing Programme.
	The average grant rate for Open Market HomeBuy and New Build HomeBuy products in the Corporation's 06-08 programme at the time of allocation was £26,828.
	Between 1999 and 2005 Low Cost Home Ownership assistance enabled 40,000 people to buy their own home. In 2005-06 the average household income of those purchasing homes under our equity loan and shared ownership schemes, on which our new HomeBuy products are based, was £30,000 and £26,000 respectively.

Homelessness

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homeless people there are in  (a) Hendon constituency and  (b) Barnet borough; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected in respect of households, rather than persons, and at local authority rather than constituency level.
	This is summarised in a quarterly Statistical Release on Statutory Homelessness, the latest of which was published by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 11 September. A supplementary table presents key information at local authority level, including the number of households accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need (and therefore owed a main homelessness duty) during the most recent quarter (April to June 2006), and the number of households in temporary accommodation arranged by the authority under homelessness legislation as at 30 June. This is available on the DCLG website:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/777/Supplementarytables_idl502777.xls
	The duty owed to a person accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need is to secure suitable accommodation. If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority may secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available. As an alternative to the provision of temporary accommodation some authorities arrange for households to remain in their current accommodation (homeless at home), until a settled solution becomes available.
	Financial year data from 1997-98 to 2005-06 on the number of acceptances and households in temporary accommodation, at local authority level, has already been placed in the Library in response to a question from the hon. Member for the Vale of Clwyd (Mr. Ruane) on 23 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 1663-64W.
	Information is also collected separately by the Department on the number of people who sleep rough, that is, those who are literally roofless on a single night. This information, from 1998 onwards and at local authority level, is also presented in the tables already placed in the Library.

Household Numbers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of households in each year from 1990-91 to 2030-31; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Updated estimates of the number of households in England in each year from 1991 to 2004 will be published on the Department for Communities and Local Government website in November 2006. Projections of household numbers from 2003 to 2026 were published on the DCLG website on 14 March 2006:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=l002882&PressNoticeID=2097

Housing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what percentage of social housing provided by housing associations has been achieved by section 106 agreements, broken down by region.

Yvette Cooper: The percentages of affordable housing units provided by registered social landlords as a result of section 106 agreements in England in the financial year 2004-05 are tabulated as follows. Information on section 106 agreements in 2005-06 is being finalised and will be made available on the Department for Communities and Local Government website shortly.
	
		
			  Affordable housing provided by registered social landlords in financial year 2004-05: England 
			   Total affordable housing units provided  Number of affordable units with contributions through S106 agreements  Percentage 
			 North East 728 186 26 
			 North West 2,220 483 22 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,360 592 44 
			 East Midlands 1,880 1,165 62 
			 West Midlands 3,153 1,531 49 
			 East 3,818 2,569 67 
			 London 9,388 3,634 39 
			 South East 8,020 5,038 63 
			 South West 3,304 1,756 53 
			 England 33,871 16,954 50 
			  Notes:  1. Affordable housing is defined as social rent and low cost home ownership.  2. Units includes dwellings and bed spaces.  3. Information refers to registered social landlords only and excludes other housing associations not registered with the Housing Corporation.   Source: Housing Corporation. Annual returns (HSSA) from local authorities to DCLG.

Housing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she will respond to the Rural Housing Commission Report.

Yvette Cooper: The Government are already taking forward many of the recommendations of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission. Its proposals are being fed into a series of processes, including the Comprehensive Spending Review and the forthcoming planning policy statement on housing. We have also set up a website to report on the progress we are making towards improving access to affordable housing in rural areas, including examples of best practice, in response to the Affordable Rural Housing Commission's report.

Land Use

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what financial contribution her Department has made to the Department for Transport-sponsored research project Sustainability of Land Use and Transport in Outer Neighbourhoods.

Yvette Cooper: The Department made a contribution of £35,000 in October 2004 to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council sponsored project Sustainability of Land Use and Transport in Outer Neighbourhoods.

Muslim Council of Britain

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much  (a) financial support and  (b) support in kind her Department and its agencies have given to the Muslim Council of Britain in each year since 1997.

Meg Munn: holding answer 20 October 2006
	Since its creation in May 2006, the Department for Communities and Local Government has not given any financial support, or support in kind, to the Muslim Council of Britain.

Omega

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she will make a decision on how the Government will proceed with the planning application for the Omega site.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The planning application referred to is for the development of part of a site known as Omega, situated in Warrington. It covers approximately 100 hectares and lies on either side of the M62 motorway. The application includes the provision of offices, light industry, warehousing and distribution facilities, and makes up the first two phases of the proposed development of the whole Omega site, which covers some 230 hectares in total. Warrington borough council resolved on 19 October that it was minded to approve the application, and in accordance with the terms of a Direction made under Article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995, the council has consulted the Secretary of State and sought her authorisation to grant planning permission for the application. A decision on how the Government will proceed (about whether it will call in the application for further public scrutiny and determination by the Secretary of State, or alternatively allow the council to determine the application itself) will be made in the near future.

Omega

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the basis was for the issue by the Government office for the north west of an Article 14 direction preventing the determination by Warrington borough council of the planning application for the Omega site.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The planning application referred to is for the development of part of a site known as Omega, situated in Warrington. It covers approximately 100 hectares and lies on either side of the M62 motorway. The application includes the provision of offices, light industry, warehousing and distribution facilities, and makes up the first two phases of the proposed development of the whole Omega site, which covers some 230 hectares in total. Warrington borough council resolved on 19 October that it was minded to approve the application. The nature and scale of this proposal is such that it raises significant strategic planning and transport issues. They are of a type which require a decision to be made as to whether the application should be called-in for further public scrutiny and determination by the Secretary of State, or alternatively left with the council for determination. It was for this reason that a Direction was made under Article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995—the Direction requires the council not to grant permission for the application unless and until authorised by the Secretary of State.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on the local government pension scheme in each year since 1980-81; what forecasts she has made of how much will be spent in each year between 2007-08 and 2050-51; and how many members of the scheme there are.

Phil Woolas: The amount spent on the local government pension scheme (LGPS) involving contributions paid by employers and employees, plus investment income, and the amount spent annually on pension benefits between 1995-96 and 2004-05 is shown at columns two and three respectively in the following table. Information before 1995-96 is not available.
	
		
			  £ billion 
			   Total income  Expenditure on benefits 
			 1995-96 4.2 2.6 
			 1996-97 4.7 2.7 
			 1997-98 5.0 2.9 
			 1998-99 5.5 3.0 
			 1999-2000 5.9 3.1 
			 2000-01 6.3 3.3 
			 2001-02 6.7 3.5 
			 2002-03 7.0 3.6 
			 2003-04 7.6 3.8 
			 2004-05 8.3 4.0 
		
	
	No forecasts have been made of how much will be spent between 2007-08 and 2050-51. Future pension liabilities, and the amount of employer contributions, taking into account the expected level of investment returns needed to match future liabilities, are determined by fund actuaries every three years. The next fund valuation exercise takes place in England and Wales on 31 March 2007.
	At 31 March 2005, the number of active members, pensioners with deferred benefits and pensioners in the local government pension scheme was 1.6 million; 757,000 and 952,000 respectively. All the above data are derived from annual returns submitted to the Department by LGPS administering authorities in England and Wales.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on the firefighters pension scheme in each year since 1980-81; what forecasts she has made of how much will be spent in each year between 2007-08 and 2050-51; and how many members of the scheme there are.

Phil Woolas: DCLG holds data on the actual amount spent by Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) on the firefighters pension scheme for the years 2003-04 to 2005-06 as well as estimates, provided by the FRAs, of the amount that will be spent on both the 1992 and 2006 firefighter pension schemes for the years 2006-07 until 2010-11. These data are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  £000 
			  Financial year   Pensions expenditure by FRAs 
			 2003-04 Actual 376,117 
			 2004-05 Actual 415,286 
			 2005-06 Actual 455,474 
			 2006-07 Estimate 460,303 
			 2007-08 Estimate 481,671 
			 2008-09 Estimate 530,586 
			 2009-10 Estimate 553,283 
			 2010-11 Estimate 570,732 
		
	
	These figures are only for the amount spent in England on the firefighter pension scheme by FRAs.
	There were 31,062 members of the 1992 firefighter pension scheme at the 31 March 2006.

Planning

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many appeals her Department has heard under schedule 2, part 5 of the General Permitted Development Order 1995 against a proposed development by a statutory undertaking in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many developments have been made by statutory undertakings using powers contained in schedule 2, part 5 of the General Permitted Development Order 1995 in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what rights of appeal residents have to a proposed development by a statutory undertaking in accordance with schedule 2, part 5 of the General Permitted Development Order 1995; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: There is no right of appeal against a statutory grant of planning permission which has been enacted by Parliament and part 5 of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO), in particular, contains no powers, only entitlements. We have no records of part 5 permitted development rights being exercised by statutory undertakers. Statutory undertakers have their own permitted development rights in part 17 of schedule 2 of the GPDO, though there is nothing to prevent a statutory undertaker from enjoying the benefit of any of the other permitted development rights in the GPDO that might apply to their land in a particular case. Were there to be a dispute about whether permitted development rights applied in a particular case, it might be resolved either by an application made to the local planning authority for a certificate of lawfulness to confirm the existence of such rights in respect of a particular development proposal, or by enforcement action taken by the local planning authority.

Planning

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consideration is given to  (a) the employment opportunities created and  (b) the impact on the regional economy in determining planning applications for major employment sites.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The development plan is the starting point in the consideration of planning applications, together with any other material considerations, including national planning policy, where relevant. The degree to which the creation of employment opportunities and the impact of proposals on the regional economy are considered will depend on the circumstances of the case, but they may well be material considerations for the decision-taker to weigh in the balance with other factors when determining planning applications for major employment sites.

Population Projections

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether a race equality impact assessment was undertaken on the decision to use current methodology for population projections in the local government funding system.

Phil Woolas: No. I consulted widely on the implementation of multi year settlements for local government. This consultation included the option, which was largely supported and subsequently adopted, to use sub-national population projections instead of the mid-year population estimates as the main driver of population in the local government funding distribution system.

Regeneration (Thames Gateway)

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what weight is given to design quality in the built environment in delivering regeneration objectives in the Thames Gateway; and what definition she uses of an acceptable level of design.

Yvette Cooper: Good design is a prerequisite for creating sustainable, cohesive communities and is therefore central to delivering regeneration objectives in the Thames Gateway.
	My Department is working closely with others in the Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership to secure improved design quality. We will be setting out our expectations for high quality design in the Thames Gateway, along with a package of measures to support good design in our Interim Strategic Framework, which will be published on 22 November 2006.

Supporting People Programme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has for the future funding of Supporting People.

Phil Woolas: As I announced on 19 July 2006,  Official Report, columns 22-23WS, Supporting People grant allocations to local authorities have been confirmed for 2007-08. Funding for Supporting People beyond that year will be determined through the Comprehensive Spending Review.
	We have also consulted on a number of funding-related issues, including approaches to future grant distribution and to new investment, as part of our on-going work to develop a Supporting People strategy. Our initial response following that consultation was set out in "Supporting Independence: Next Steps in our Supporting People Strategy" published on 11 July 2006, and we will publish our full Supporting People strategy in due course.

Sustainable Homes

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what standards the proposed code for sustainable building sets for water consumption levels per capita.

Angela Smith: The proposed water efficiency levels in the code for sustainable homes are currently being finalised.

Sustainable Homes

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects the voluntary code for sustainable homes to be implemented.

Angela Smith: I hope to launch the code for sustainable homes before the end of the year.

Taskforce Data

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) cost,  (b) objectives,  (c) key performance indicators,  (d) performance against each such indicator and (e) achievements are of (i) the Urban Task Force, (ii) Local Strategic Partnerships, (iii) the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, (iv) the Active Community Unit, (v) the Social Exclusion Unit and (vi) the Urban Policy Unit.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 12 October 2006
	The information requested in respect of the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, the Social Exclusion Unit and the Urban Policy Unit is available in the Department for Communities and Local Government Annual Report and on the Department's website at www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1501648. On item (i) the Urban Task Force reported in July 1999 and information can be found in the annex to the 2000 Urban White Paper "Our Towns and Cities: the Future".
	Local Strategic Partnerships are voluntary partnerships which bring together, at a local authority level, the different parts of the public sector as well as the private, business, community and voluntary sectors. They were formally introduced in the Local Government Act 2000 alongside the duty for local authorities, in partnership with the community and local agencies and organisations to produce a Community Strategy to improve the well-being of their area.
	The work of the Active Communities Unit was part of the Home Office. It has now been incorporated in the office of the third sector in the Cabinet Office. Information on the performance of the former Active Communities Unit is available in the Home Office departmental report available on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/annual-report-06.pdf?view=Binary.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2006,  Official Report, column 367W, on the Valuation Office Agency, for how many households in England the Valuation Office Agency holds ACORN data.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	ACORN™ data acquired by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) relates to all households in England. This is held centrally at an aggregated level and not by reference to individual households. The data are not incorporated into the VOA's database.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Abattoirs

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many abattoirs in England serve the  (a) cattle,  (b) sheep and  (c) poultry sectors.

Barry Gardiner: The following table shows, as at September 2006, the number of abattoirs in England approved or authorised to serve the cattle, the sheep or the poultry sectors. The figures indicate the number of abattoirs approved or authorised to slaughter each species, some slaughter more than one species.
	
		
			  Species slaughtered  Number of abattoirs 
			 Cattle 205 
			 Sheep 214 
			 Poultry 95

Abattoirs

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many abattoirs in England are licensed to offer organic meat processing; and what type of meat each deals with.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 24 October 2006
	There are 55 plants in England registered to process organic meat. Forty-five are red meat slaughterhouses, 38 are red meat cutting plants, six are white meat slaughterhouses, 10 are white meat cutting plants and seven deal with meat preparation. The majority of cutting plants are co-located with the slaughterhouses.
	This number excludes meat processors registered on the license of an organic producer.

Abattoirs

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many abattoirs are in operation in England; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 24 October 2006
	There are currently 246 red meat abattoirs and 95 poultry meat abattoirs authorised to operate in England. Of these, 233 red meat and 82 poultry meat abattoirs were operating during the month of September 2006. A number of abattoirs may not be operating at any one time for a variety of reasons, such as seasonal operation, refurbishment or commercial reasons.
	The hon. Gentleman will recall the answer I gave to him on 14 July 2006,  Official Report, column 2173W. This noted that the number of slaughterhouses in England has fallen in recent years, reflecting a longer-term trend for consolidation, and that the Government recognise the importance of an adequate network of slaughterhouses to ensure that all sustainable production needs can continue to be met. I also refer my hon. Friend again to the answer given by my predecessor on 9 November 2005,  Official Report, column 476W.

Agency Budgets

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the  (a) original and  (b) revised budget for 2006-07 are for (i) British Waterways, (ii) the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, (iii) Natural England, (iv) Food from Britain, (v) the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB, (vi) the Marine Fisheries Agency, (vii) the Pesticides Safety Directorate, (viii) the Rural Payments Agency, (ix) the State Veterinary Service and (x) the Veterinary Laboratories Agency; and what the planned budget for 2007-08 is in each case.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 23 October 2006
	The  (a) original and  (b) revised resource budgets for 2006-07 for the named bodies were as follows:
	(i) British Waterways—£52.461 million to £48.527 million
	(ii) Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science—£33.3 million to £32.4 million
	(iii) Natural England—£207.751 million to £193.551 million
	(iv) Food from Britain—£5.358 million to £4.965 million
	(v) Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB—No change at £230,000
	(vi) Marine Fisheries Agency—£31.233 million to £29.511 million
	(vii) Pesticides Safety Directorate—£11.2 million to £10.361 million
	(viii) Rural Payments Agency—£214.031 million to £237.031 million
	(ix) State Veterinary Service—£91.347 million to £88.347 million
	(x) Veterinary Laboratories Agency—£94.769 million to £92.419 million.
	No changes have been made to the original capital budgets for 2006-07 for these bodies other than an increase for the (viii) Rural Payments Agency—£4.99 million to £27.99 million.
	Planned budgets for 2007-08 are still being discussed with the relevant bodies.

Agency Budgets

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when Stearthill Farms Ltd. (RPA Ref: 108841927) will receive its single farm payment award.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 23 October 2006
	The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has confirmed that advance payments were made to this applicant on 10 May 2006 and 7 July 2006. A further payment is due following an award from the National Reserve. The RPA is unable to give a date for the payment but this will be as soon as it is possible.

Agricultural Support

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been paid to farmers in grant aid and subsidy in each year since 1997, expressed in  (a) actual and  (b) real terms; and what future such payments are planned, expressed in the same terms.

Barry Gardiner: The following tables show subsidies and other payments paid direct to farmers in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2005 in current prices (or "actual terms") and in real terms at 2005 prices with the retail prices index.
	The data include subsidies and other payments funded by the EU. They exclude compensation for losses due to foot and mouth disease in 2001 and other capital transfers.
	
		
			  Subsidies and other payments made to farmers in current prices: United Kingdom 
			  £ million 
			   Coupled subsidies( 1)  Decoupled subsidies and other payments( 2)  Total subsidies and other payments 
			 1997 2,588 189 2,777 
			 1998 2,436 210 2,646 
			 1999 2,373 318 2,692 
			 2000 2,187 297 2,484 
			 2001 1,923 536 2,459 
			 2002 2,132 562 2,694 
			 2003 2,174 622 2,796 
			 2004 2,369 585 2,955 
			 2005(3) 212 2,831 3,043 
		
	
	
		
			  Subsidies and other payments made to farmers in real terms at 2005 prices: United Kingdom 
			   Retail prices index (2,000=100)  Coupled subsidies( 1 ) (£ million)  Decoupled subsidies and other payment( 2 ) (£ million)  Total subsidies and other payments (£ million) 
			 1997 92 3,154 230 3,384 
			 1998 96 2,871 247 3,118 
			 1999 97 2,755 369 3,124 
			 2000 100 2,465 334 2,800 
			 2001 102 2,129 594 2,723 
			 2002 103 2,323 612 2,935 
			 2003 106 2,302 659 2,961 
			 2004 110 2,436 602 3,038 
			 2005(3) 113 212 2,831 3,043 
			 (1) Payments directly linked to the production of agricultural products, eg sheep annual premium, beef special premium scheme, less levies, eg milk superlevy.  (2) Payments not linked to the production of agricultural products, eg single payment scheme, agri-environment schemes, support for less favoured areas.  (3) Data for 2005 are provisional.   Note:  Excludes compensation for losses due to foot and mouth disease in 2001 and other capital transfers. 
		
	
	Looking ahead, expenditure on coupled subsidies is largely demand led and, therefore, difficult to estimate. Expenditure on decoupled subsidies will arise largely from the single payment scheme, for which the UK's financial ceiling for years 2006 onwards is shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Budget for single payment scheme: United Kingdom (£ million)( 1) 
			 2006 2,673 
			 2007 2,684 
			 2008 2,695 
			 2009 2,701 
			 2010+ 2,694 
			 (1) Calculated using the euro/ exchange rate which applies in the 2006 scheme year (1€ = 0.67770). 
		
	
	The European Commission has also recently announced that the UK will receive approximately £1.3 billion for expenditure on rural development programmes over the seven-year period 2007-13. These European Funds must be matched, or near-matched, pound for pound with domestic exchequer money.

Animal Welfare

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints regarding the welfare of pigs the State Veterinary Service has investigated in each of the last five years; and in how many cases legal action resulting in a positive outcome has been pursued.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Pig welfare complaint investigations 
			   Complaints  Legal action taken  Resolved  Not yet resolved 
			 2001 69 21 21 0 
			 2002 125 46 46 0 
			 2003 130 54 54 0 
			 2004 140 51 51 0 
			 2005 142 50 49 (1)1 
			 2006 to date 82 34 33 (2)1 
			 (1 )(case is subject to further investigation) (2 )(prosecution pending) 
		
	
	Legal action can include prosecution, provision of a statement, serving an Enforcement Notice under Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations 2000 (as amended), issuing a caution or advisory letter and a revisit to monitor compliance.

Battery Cages

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent developments there have been in the EU Agriculture Council on the timetable for the ban on battery cages.

Ben Bradshaw: There have been no recent developments on this issue in the European Union Agriculture Council. Under Council Directive 99/74/EC, conventional cages will be banned from 2012.
	The European Commission's report on the various rearing systems for laying hens is overdue, but is expected by the end of the year. Further information is available on the DEFRA website at:
	www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/layers/index.htm.

Carbon Fund for Africa

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made in developing a carbon fund for Africa.

Ian Pearson: The second meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Nairobi, this November, presents an ideal opportunity to explore how Africa's participation in investment in projects through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) can be enhanced. There are several alternative proposals on the table for discussion in Nairobi, and the UK is keen to see a positive outcome.
	The CDM market has grown enormously in the last year, with an estimated 1,000 projects, and 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent in the pipeline to 2012. The UK is the major private sector participant in the CDM market, with UK companies participating in some 25 per cent. of currently registered CDM projects.
	Africa does not have a record of attracting significant private investment in the CDM, so the Government are arguing for the development of a fund which could assist in building capacity within Africa to develop and identify projects that could attract carbon finance. I am discussing the idea with colleagues from within the EU as well as from Africa. In parallel, I have asked officials to examine how a carbon fund for Africa could be best designed to deliver on this objective.
	The challenge is to ensure that any fund is designed to deliver long-term benefits to the countries concerned. As well as pressing the fund we need to look at the full range of measures to support and enhance Africa's participation in the CDM.
	There is already considerable international experience of support for CDM-related investment.
	The UK already supports several initiatives that assist African participation in CDM:
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Global Opportunities Fund supports many projects designed to enhance developing countries' capacity to participate in CDM. There are several projects supporting CDM investment in Africa; in Angola, Nigeria and South Africa.
	As a Government, we are also investing in the Kuyasa township CDM project in Cape Town, South Africa, to offset the emissions of the G8 presidency. I hope that we can build on this investment in the tender for the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund which we have set up to offset emissions from official travel.
	There are also several existing multilateral, European and bilateral initiatives on support capacity building and project investment, agreed at a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change level, through the World Banks and bilaterally. This is something we need to learn from and build on.

Cheese Production

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of  (a) gross domestic product and  (b) total food production can be attributed to cheese production.

Barry Gardiner: Precise estimates for the gross value added from UK cheese production are not available. However, based on the value of sales, it is estimated that the manufacture of cheese, including grated and processed cheese, represented  (a) less than 0.05 per cent. of national gross domestic product, and  (b) about 1.5 per cent. of gross value added for food and drink manufacturing, in 2004.

Common Land

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to simplify the legislation to enable commoning of common land to take place more easily; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: Rights of common remain rooted in the common law. The Commons Act 2006 reforms legislation relating to the registration, management and protection of common land, but leaves these common law rules largely unchanged. The Act enables the improved agricultural management of common land by statutory commons councils consisting of representatives of commoners and others with interests in the land at a local level.

Dairy Farming

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much milk was imported into the UK from Poland in the last 12 months; and what projections he has made of future levels of imports of milk from Poland.

Barry Gardiner: The following table shows the imports of liquid milk from Poland over the last 12 months to August 2006 as recorded in the Official Trade Statistics. Imports of liquid milk were recorded for five of these months as shown in the table. There were no recorded imports for the other months in this period.
	For the period January to August 2006 the total liquid milk imported from Poland accounts for 0.02 per cent. of total imports of liquid milk into the UK.
	
		
			  2006( 1) 
			   Tonnes  £000 
			 January 0.7 0.2 
			 March 2.0 0.1 
			 April 4.3 1.1 
			 May 0.9 0.7 
			 August 0.3 0.1 
			 Grand total 8.2 2.1 
			 (1 )2006 data are subject to amendments Source: HM Revenue and Customs

Dairy Farming

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the age profile is of dairy farmers; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The information requested is in the table.
	
		
			  Age profile of dairy farmers and all farmers in England in 2005 
			  Holder's age breakdown  Number of holders  Percentage of total 
			  Dairy farmers   
			 Less than 35 years 403 3.2 
			 35-44 years 2,123 17.0 
			 45-54 years 3,649 29.3 
			 55-64 years 3,827 30.7 
			 65 years and over 2,449 19.7 
			 All years 12,450 100.0 
			
			  All farmers   
			 Less than 35 years 4,882 2.6 
			 35-44 years 23,769 12.9 
			 45-54 years 42,897 23.2 
			 55-64 years 54,050 29.2 
			 65 years and over 59,310 32.1 
			 All years 184,909 100.0 
			 Source: EC Farm Structure Survey 2005. Data prepared by Surveys, Statistics and Food Economics, Defra, York

Dairy Farming

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to reduce the burden of bureaucracy on  (a) dairy farmers and  (b) all farmers.

Barry Gardiner: The Farming Regulation and Charging Strategy for England, published in November 2005, details a number of commitments to reduce bureaucracy and make regulatory controls more effective and easier to comply with, including through the Whole Farm Approach. The strategy is available on the DEFRA website at:
	www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/regulation/charge/pdf/farm-regulation-strategy.pdf
	DEFRA has made a commitment to reduce the administrative burdens its regulations impose on business by 25 per cent. by 2010. We have recently participated in a cross-Government exercise to measure this burden and are now in the final stages of finalising our Simplification Plan to be published in November 2006. This plan outlines a range of simplification initiatives, including many that impact on farmers, which will reduce the burden on business and reach our 25 per cent. target.
	Some of these approaches will offer benefits to dairy farmers. In addition, the Government are continuing to press for the abolition of the milk quotas system, which will help to simplify existing arrangements in this sector.

Databases (Security Breaches)

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many confirmed security breaches of databases controlled by his Department occurred in each of the last five years; whether the breach resulted from internal or external sources in each case; how many records were compromised on each occasion; and what estimate was made of the total number of records accessible to the individuals concerned.

Barry Gardiner: The Department has no records of breaches of databases in any of the last five years.

Departmental Expenditure

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the budget of  (a) the Department and  (b) any associated non-departmental public body within his responsibility has been changed in the last six months.

Barry Gardiner: The Department's budget for 2006-07 has not been changed in the last six months. Budgets have been changed for a number of associated non-departmental public bodies within the last six months.

Departmental Expenditure

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of spending by his Department against budget in the 2006-07 financial year.

Barry Gardiner: A detailed finance report is reviewed monthly by the Department's Management Board (including non-executive directors) and all Ministers. This report compares spend to budget for all major programmes and addresses the forecast out-turn for the year, comparing to parliamentary and Treasury control totals. Actions are taken as appropriate following this review process.
	Further specific analysis is prepared from across the Department to support decision-making as required.

Departmental Funding

Jeremy Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for which of his Department's  (a) agencies and  (b) areas of work funding allocations have been revised downwards for 2006-07 from 2005-06.

Barry Gardiner: The Department publishes planned funding allocations by areas of work for future years in the "core tables" included in the annual Departmental Report. Information on allocations set for 2005-06 is shown on pages 277 to 280 of the Departmental Report 2005, and that for 2006-07 is shown on pages 255 to 259 of the Departmental Report 2006. Further detail on the Department's agencies is given in the body of both reports.

Departmental Mail

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the Department's mail is shipped using private companies; and what the cost was over the last 12 months.

Barry Gardiner: None of the Department's mail is shipped using private companies. 100 per cent. is shipped using Royal Mail.

Departmental Redundancies

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many redundancies there were in his Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of such redundancies was in each year; how many temporary staff were employed in each year; and how many staff were seconded by outside organisations to posts within the Department in each year.

Barry Gardiner: DEFRA was created in June 2001, and the following information relates to the period since then.
	
		
			   Number of redundancies  Cost of redundancies  Temporary staff (as at 1 April)  Inward secondees (as at 1 April) 
			 2001-02 — — — — 
			 2002-03 0 0 890 26 
			 2003-04 0 0 380 28 
			 2004-05 0 0 290 36 
			 2005-06 0 0 332 40 
			  Note: Defra has only just announced that 30 wildlife officers in the wildlife units near Truro and Stroud will be issued with compulsory redundancy notices in late October.

Departmental Staff

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of civil servants employed by his Department work for the majority of their time in the Department's London offices.

Barry Gardiner: As at 30 September 2006, 24 per cent. of the staff employed by DEFRA and its agencies worked in London offices.

Emissions (Steel Works)

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what emissions standards are applied to air emissions from steel works; and what the maximum levels are of regulated pollutants allowed.

Ben Bradshaw: Installations for the production of steel with a production capacity of more than 2.5 tonnes per hour are subject to the integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) Directive (96/61/EC), which is transposed through the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000.
	Under those Regulations, the regulator (the Environment Agency in most cases, the local authority in the remainder) has to set emission limits for any pollutant likely to be emitted in significant quantities. The regulator has to do so on the basis of the application at the installation of the best available techniques (BAT) and taking into account the installation's technical characteristics, location and the local environmental conditions.
	Emission limits therefore vary between installations. Each installation's limits are set out in its permit issued under the Regulations. A copy of each permit is held on the public register maintained by the regulator.

Farm Gate Prices

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average farm gate price received by farmers for their milk was over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The following table shows monthly average farm gate milk prices in pence per litre for the last 12 months for the United Kingdom. The average prices are calculated from monthly surveys of milk purchasers conducted in England and Wales by DEFRA, in Scotland by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department and in Northern Ireland by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The farm gate price is the average price received by producers, net of delivery charges. No deduction has been made for super-levy.
	
		
			  United Kingdom milk prices, monthly farm gate milk prices 
			  Units: pence per litre 
			   Excluding bonus payments  Including bonus payments 
			  2005   
			 September 19.46 19.47 
			 October 19.71 19.71 
			 November 19.76 19.77 
			 December 19.27 19.27 
			
			  2006   
			 January 18.65 18.67 
			 February 18.34 18.36 
			 March 18.11 18.13 
			 April 17.34 17.36 
			 May 16.81 16.83 
			 June 16.83 16.83 
			 July 17.18 17.18 
			 August 17.60 17.61

Farm Gate Prices

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with supermarkets on farmgate prices paid to farmers.

Barry Gardiner: Farm gate prices are primarily a matter for the buyers and sellers concerned. However, the implications for the dairy industry of downward pressure on producer prices was one of the items discussed at a recent meeting between the Secretary of State and supermarket chairmen.

Farm Subsidies

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional costs the Government  (a) have incurred and  (b) are projected to incur as a result of missing the 30 June deadline for single farm payments.

Barry Gardiner: Additional costs, in the form of reduced EU funding, may arise in relation to payments under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) which are made after the end of the regulatory payment window on 30 June 2006. However, it is not yet possible to say what if any costs may arise in practice, as that depends on the outcome of ongoing discussions with the European Commission and the amount and timing of outstanding payments across the UK.
	As announced on 22 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1478, the Rural Payments Agency is also paying interest payments to those claimants who had not received their full SPS payment by 30 June 2006 subject to a £50 de minimis. As at 11 October 2006, £318,201 in interest payments had been made.

Food Stocks

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the last Food Stocks Survey was carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 24 October 2006
	The Department works with the Institute of Grocery Distribution to carry out a Food Stocks Survey across all levels of the food industry every two years. The last survey was completed in 2005 and work on the 2007 survey is underway. The information gathered allows Defra to better represent the food industry in any discussions with other Government Departments during incidents which could impact the industry.

Government Social Research Service

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of the Government Social Research Service in his Department in each of the last five years; how many projects have been completed by the Service in that period; and how many people are employed in the Service in his Department.

Barry Gardiner: There were no Government Social Researchers in DEFRA prior to December 2003. Since that date, the requested figures are as follows:
	
		
			   £000  Number 
			  Financial year  Project cost  Staff cost  Total cost  Completed projects( 1)  GSR staff (min-max) 
			 2003-04 175 23 198 0 0-1 
			 2004-05 1,222 109 1,331 9 1-4 
			 2005-06 1,803 263 2,066 22 5-5 
			 2006-07 (2)1,034 (2)234 (2)1,268 10 4-5 
			 (1) These figures do not include the considerable outputs of the Rural Evidence Research Centre, which take a variety of forms (including conference papers and workshops/seminars) and which are therefore more difficult to enumerate.  (2) Forecast. 
		
	
	The expenditure recorded does not necessarily reflect the total expenditure on social research across the whole of DEFRA, as sometimes work is commissioned and funded directly from policy budgets without the knowledge or involvement of Government Social Research staff.

Local Authority Charges

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 20 October 2006, on amendment to the local authority fees and charges scheme 2006-07: Local air pollution control, why the fee for certain dry cleaning applications has been increased; and what discussion he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on that matter.

Ben Bradshaw: The basis for the increase to the application fees for existing dry cleaners was set out in the consultation paper which is available on the DEFRA website at the following website address:
	www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/drycleaners-pollutionfee/index.htm
	Approval of the Treasury was secured.

Meat Imports

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the UK imports meat products from Tanzania.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 26 October 2006
	No. European Community legislation sets the criteria which must be met by meat imported from third countries:
	the country must be approved to export to the European Union (EU)
	there must be agreed animal and public health certification in place
	the product must come from an approved plant.
	Meat products from Tanzania cannot be imported into the EU because the country does not meet any of the above criteria.

Media Advisers

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the merits of reducing the number of media advisers in his Department.

Barry Gardiner: A review of the Department's press office was carried out earlier this year. This resulted in a reduction of four posts. There are no plans for a further review.

Minimum Wage

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many employees in  (a) his Department and  (b) related agencies and non-departmental public bodies were affected by the increase in the minimum wage on 1 October.

Barry Gardiner: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) No staff in core-Defra, or its executive agencies (Central Science Laboratory; Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; Rural Payments Agency and Veterinary Laboratories Agency) who operate delegated pay arrangements, were affected by the increase in the national minimum wage on 1 October i.e. minimum salaries were already set at a level above the new rate quoted.
	 (b) In respect of the Department's non-departmental public bodies, I am unable to comment on them, as this information is not readily available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Monopoly Food Processors

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what plans the Government have to regulate the activities of  (a) British Sugar and  (b) other monopoly processors in the food chain;
	(2)  what plans the Government have to regulate the activities of larger processors and retailers in the food chain.

Barry Gardiner: Processors and retailers in the food chain are already subject to a wide range of regulatory requirements, most of which are of wider applicability. The adequacy of these controls is kept under review. Where new controls are needed, the Government's policy is to examine all options, including alternatives to regulation such as voluntary agreements.
	Competition law already prohibits companies that are in a dominant position in their markets from abusing their dominance. Responsibility for enforcing the law in this area rests with the Office of Fair Trading.

Natural England

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much of the financial savings targeted by the establishment of Natural England have been realised; what the estimate is of the total savings to be realised from its establishment; and what the original estimate was.

Barry Gardiner: The establishment of Natural England delivered £0.8 million of efficiencies in 2005-06, and is currently expected to deliver £3 million of efficiencies in 2006-07 (in line with original estimates). The Modernising Rural Delivery programme as a whole, of which the establishment of Natural England is a significant part, was originally expected to deliver (and is still on target to deliver) annual efficiencies of £21 million by 2009-10. Natural England is expected to deliver efficiencies of £6.5 million by 2007-08. Latest estimates are that in 2009-10 approximately £13.5 million of efficiencies will result from the establishment of Natural England, and from its decision to outsource its corporate service functions to DEFRA's Shared Service Organisation.

Private Finance Initiative Projects

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by his Department on private finance initiative projects postponed pending further consideration or stopped in the last 12 months.

Barry Gardiner: There have been no DEFRA- sponsored PFI projects postponed pending further consideration or stopped in the last 12 months.

Poultry Farms (Pollution Prevention)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the proposed charges for the pollution prevention and control regulations have been calculated with regard to poultry farms; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Environment Agency (EA) is required, in accordance with HM Treasury's guidance and the "polluter pays principle", to recover the full costs of regulation from those it regulates. The EA has worked with the farming sector to develop a straightforward, least-cost approach for farmers. It is for the EA, as the regulator, to assess the level of effort required to meet the pollution prevention and control requirements. In parallel, my Department continues to encourage the EA to demonstrate full transparency on what costs are for. The EA is also being set targets to drive efficiency throughout the organisation and gains will in turn offset charges as appropriate.
	In response to concerns raised by the industry, the EA presented a proposal on subsistence charging in February this year. The EA's proposals were accepted by the British Poultry Council as well as other intensive livestock trade associations in May. A subsistence charge of £1,471 for an existing small farm and £1,844 for an existing large farm will therefore be charged to the industry from August 2007 until March 2008, provided that the industry stages its applications over the three month application window (from 1 November 2006 to 31 January 2007).
	The annual subsistence fee covers not only the EA's costs for inspections, but also the costs of providing guidance, scheme infrastructure and permit maintenance.

Poultry Farms (Pollution Prevention)

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken to prevent the spread of Campylobacter through the chicken production chain.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has been working closely with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to improve our understanding of how Campylobacter infection develops and spreads. We have also considered effective methods of controlling the spread of this bacteria at all levels of the food chain, including controls on farm and best practice guidance in the kitchen.
	For the period 2005-08, DEFRA has committed £2.65 million towards research on the control of Campylobacter and the development of intervention practices to reduce the incidence of the bacterium within poultry production systems. This includes a DEFRA/FSA joint-funded three year survey, starting in 2007, to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter in UK flocks of chicken for meat production.
	A report published by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food in July 2005 concluded that the control of Campylobacter is a practical proposition in housed flocks where producers maintain rigorous biosecurity measures and high flock management standards. As a result, priority action at farm level has focused on the importance of meeting good biosecurity standards. This action reinforces wider food hygiene initiatives in the commercial and domestic food handling settings.
	These research and education projects will help to support the FSA and the poultry industry in meeting their target to achieve a 50 per cent. reduction in the incidence of UK-produced chicken testing positive for Campylobacter by 2010.

Recycled Waste

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance his Department provides to local authorities about sending recyclable waste to be recycled overseas; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: In March 2005, DEFRA wrote to all waste collection and disposal authorities in England, pressing them to ensure that any waste collected from households is managed in accordance with national, European and international obligations.
	Local authorities should assure themselves that waste that is exported is in compliance with the relevant environmental legislation, including that which applies to waste exports, and the duty of care.
	The Environment Agency has also published a guide on the international shipment of waste, "The Transfrontier Shipment of Waste", which is available from its website: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/ep235tsw_446853.pdf.

Recycled Waste

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities in England operate a compulsory recycling scheme; when each came into force; how much each local authority raised by using compulsory recycling in each year since its scheme came into force; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not hold the information requested. It is the responsibility of each local authority to decide how to manage household waste sustainably and meet its targets. We are aware that authorities, such as the London borough of Barnet, are using compulsory recycling schemes. This is to ensure recycling services provided are used well, not to raise revenue.

Rural Payments Agency

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Department has allocated to the Rural Payments Agency, in addition to its agreed annual budget, in each year since 2003-04.

Barry Gardiner: The opening and final allocations for the running costs of the Rural Payments Agency for each year since 2003-04 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  £000 
			   Opening allocation  Final allocation 
			 2003-04(1) 151,649 168,769 
			 2004-05(2) 194,789 219,011 
			 2005-06 210,277 213,210 
			 (1 )RPA's running costs allocation was increased in-year by £16.6 million to reflect the merger with the British Cattle Movement Service.  (2 )Running costs allocation increased in-year by £16.7 million end-year- flexibility (carry forward of underspends incurred in previous years).

Tree Planting

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has for encouraging the planting of more trees by farmers.

Barry Gardiner: Incentives to promote the planting of trees in England are part of the Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS). Defra's Environmental Stewardship Scheme builds on past achievements by providing incentives for small-scale tree planting. Defra's Energy Crops Scheme has provided the option for farmers to plant short rotation coppice willow species, as part of the Government's support for diversifying resources for renewable energy initiatives.
	In addition to these England-wide schemes there are various regional and local initiatives aimed at increasing tree cover; notably the National Forest in the Midlands and the 12 Community Forest partnerships based close to urban areas.

Waterways

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment was made of the effects of the reduction in grant in aid for 2006-07 to British Waterways prior to the decision being made; what his most recent assessment is of the effect of the reduction; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: I have consulted closely with the chairman and chief executive of British Waterways about the in-year cut of about 7 per cent. of grant in aid amounting to £3.94 million. They accept that Government have provided £524 million in funding for British Waterways since 2000, of which £452 million was for waterways in England and Wales. Over this period, British Waterways has substantially improved the state of its waterways and has eliminated the safety backlog. It has also concluded substantial regeneration and property projects and facilitated the restoration of some 200 miles of derelict canals. The current assessment of the effect of the reduction in the 2006-07 budgets is that there is likely to be some delay to capital works and a setting back of the date by which British Waterways will be able to reduce year-on-year the requirements for grant in aid from Government.
	I will be meeting the chief executive again and will look further at the implications of the cuts in funding and how British Waterways can continue to contribute to Government priorities.

Waterways

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the backlog of maintenance works on waterways.

Barry Gardiner: British Waterways received an additional £42 million between 1999 and 2004, which has enabled it to clear its backlog of safety maintenance. There remains a general maintenance arrear of £119 million. It is responsible for about 60 per cent. of the navigable waterways in England and Wales, about three quarters of which are canals.
	The Environment Agency manages about 1,000 kilometres of waterways in England and Wales, roughly 25 per cent. of the total. Its backlog of safety maintenance work to its waterways assets, all of which are on navigable rivers, is currently approximately £50 million.
	The Broads Authority manages about 3 per cent. of the waterways of England and Wales. It has a backlog of dredging estimated at £21 million, but the costs of disposal and maintenance are still being evaluated.
	Information on the condition of waterways owned or managed by non-public navigation authorities is not available.

Waterways

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the effect of the cuts in the budget of British Waterways will be on canals in Sandwell.

Barry Gardiner: British Waterways is restructuring its organisation in order to deliver improvements in its customer service and business efficiency.
	As part of this there are proposals for the merger of the West Midlands and Central Shires business units which include Sandwell. These proposals are currently subject to consultation with the trade unions. The impact on the canals in Sandwell will be assessed in parallel.
	This process of restructuring has been accelerated by the recent reduction in Government funding.

Whaling

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he will take against Iceland when it resumes commercial whaling.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK will continue to protest at the highest diplomatic level against Iceland's activities. I have called the Icelandic ambassador to my office to explain this decision and to voice our strong opposition to Iceland's commercial whaling. We will continue our efforts, along with other countries, to urge Iceland to reconsider its position and reverse this unjustified and unnecessary decision.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Parliamentary Papers

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many copies of inHouse are produced; at what cost; to whom copies are distributed; how  (a) hon. Members and  (b) staff of hon. Members can obtain copies; if he will (i) arrange for copies to be sent to hon. Members who express an interest in receiving them and (ii) place copies in (A) the Vote Office, (B) the Printed Paper Office and (c) the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: inHouse is the staff magazine of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is produced five or six times per annum depending on the pattern of the parliamentary year. The current print run is 3,000 copies at a typical net cost of some £6,200 per edition (including VAT). Thirty per cent. of this cost is met by the House of Lords. Copies are provided to all current staff of the two Houses including contractors, some retired staff and others (for example those featured in a particular issue). Copies are provided to Members and their staff on request to the editor. As inHouse is not connected to business of the House and is primarily intended for the staff of the two Houses, it would not be appropriate to distribute it via the Vote Office. The Printed Paper Office is a matter for the House of Lords. The Library keeps a reference copy of each edition for use by Members and others.

September Sittings

Frank Doran: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what estimate the Commission has made of the additional costs of the House sitting in September.

Nick Harvey: The works programme for each year is planned to fit with the expected parliamentary timetable. Over the past three years approximately £17 million has been spent in each summer recess on works projects across both Houses, of which approximately 60 per cent. (£10 million) has been in the Commons. The Commission has estimated the effect of a two-week sitting period in September 2006 on the basis that such sittings and the works programme were planned from the previous November.
	If projects in the Palace and in those buildings housing Members stopped work for two weeks, an additional one/two week period would be required for project close down, making safe, then restarting. This means the overall impact on the works programme would equate to a total delay of up to three or four weeks out of the period over the summer recess from the end of July to mid October.
	Assuming that the aim would be to complete most projects in the shorter recess, the overall additional cost of an early September two-week return might be in the order of 15 per cent. (an additional £2.5 million across both Houses or £1.5 million for the Commons) of the cost of recess works in a normal summer. The additional costs would arise primarily from the need to increase evening and weekend working to complete projects more quickly.
	This figure for 2006 is substantially higher than the figure of £90,000 for additional works costs in 2003 and 2004 given in my written answer of 5 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1083W, because it is impossible to determine with any accuracy what the actual costs of alternative contracts might have been. The £90,000 refers only to direct costs incurred in tidying up for the return including the dismantling of scaffolding and essential health and safety issues.
	There are also substantial but unquantifiable long-term costs and risks involved in delaying some projects and not tackling the backlog of maintenance work required for the parliamentary estate. The Parliamentary Estates Board has expressed the view that the Palace structure and infrastructure will need a higher level of maintenance and refurbishment over the next few years to halt further deterioration in its condition. Key elements are the needs for a major overhaul of the cast iron roofs, renewal of much of the internal infrastructure of pipes and cabling, fire compartmentation and automatic fire detection systems, and further stone restoration. It is unlikely that this can be completed effectively if all the work is confined to recesses, whether or not there are September sittings.
	It is not possible meaningfully to identify other additional costs arising from September sittings because major costs including accommodation and staffing continue throughout the year irrespective of whether or not the House is sitting. The overall daily resource cost of running the House administration in 2005-06 was £560,000.
	The cost of the two-day emergency recall in September 1998 was estimated at the time to have cost about £375,000 in works costs. There were other staff costs, mainly for security and some overtime, amounting to £33,200—22 October 1998,  Official Report, column 1189.

Voters Pack

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many copies of the guide to new voters have been  (a) produced and  (b) distributed; by whom this has been done; if he will place copies of the guide in (i) the Vote Office and (ii) the Printed Paper Office; what the cost was per issue to (A) produce and (B) distribute; what consultation with hon. Members was undertaken before publication; how members of the public may obtain copies and at what cost; whether he plans to update this publication; what monitoring of the effectiveness of this publication is being planned; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: Between the launch in July 2006 up to the end of September 2006, a total of 95,756 copies of the Voting Times have been distributed across the United Kingdom to new voters, as they have reached their 18th birthday, at a cost of approximately £1 per recipient.
	Each copy of Voting Times is personalised for the recipient, as research carried out indicated that this was important to maximise the impact of the guide. Because of this personalisation, it is not possible to separate production from distribution costs for the guide. While the House does not hold stocks of Voting Times the content is published electronically on the parliamentary website at http://www.parliament.uk/votingtimes/index.html from where a generic version of the guide may be downloaded or printed.
	Following a resolution of the House on 26 January 2005, the House of Commons Commission was authorised to fund the publication and distribution of a new voters' guide. Draft versions of the guide were tested with young people. The Modernisation and Administration Committees were consulted on the design and content of Voting Times prior to final approval being given by the Commission on 24 April 2006.
	A further programme of research with recipients of the guide is currently under way to determine its effectiveness and any potential areas of improvement. This research will be completed by the new year. In addition, the House of Commons Information Office would welcome suggestions and feedback from hon. Members to improve future versions of the publication.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Alcohol

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether it is an offence for minors to attempt to purchase alcohol from shops.

Shaun Woodward: It is an offence under s.149(1) of the Licensing Act 2003 for an individual under 18 to buy or attempt to buy alcohol anywhere, including shops. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction to a fine of up to £1,000.
	An offence is not committed if the individual is acting at the request of a constable or a weights and measures inspector acting in the course of his duty.

BBC

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the contribution of the BBC to  (a) the UK balance of payments and  (b) the creative economy; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Department has no single estimate of the contribution made by the BBC or other individual broadcasters to the economy. In 2004, however, the TV and radio sector accounted for 0.9 per cent. of the UK's total Gross Value Added and 10 per cent. of the £13 billion total exports of the UK's creative industries.

Departmental Contracts

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what contracts  (a) her Department and  (b) its related agencies have placed with (i) Hobsbawm Macauley Public Relations, (ii) HMC Public Relations, (iii) Brunswick Arts and (iv) Sarah Brown since 1997.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not placed any contracts with Hobsbawm Macauley Public Relations, HMC Public Relations, Brunswick Arts or Sarah Brown since 1997.
	With regard to our non-departmental public bodies, the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Dress Code

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's policy is on the display of religious  (a) artefacts,  (b) symbols and  (c) dress by its staff; how many staff have been subject to disciplinary proceedings regarding this policy in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has no specific policy governing the display of religious artefacts, symbols or dress. No staff have been subject to disciplinary proceedings in relation to the display of religious artefacts, symbols or dress in the last five years. In order to ensure it does not unfairly discriminate on the grounds of religion, the Department widened its diversity employment monitoring categories in June this year to include religion and belief. Guidance on understanding ethnic and religious diversity can be found on the DCMS intranet and on the civil service diversity website:
	www.civilservice.gov.uk/diversity/religion/index.asp.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how much her Department has spent on  (a) information technology projects generally and  (b) web-facing projects in each year since 2001, broken down by (i) expenditure in consultants and (ii) other costs;
	(2)  how many information technology projects her Department has undertaken in each year since 2001.

David Lammy: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of information technology projects undertaken by or for her Department since 2001 have been delivered  (a) over budget,  (b) after their original deadline,  (c) on budget,  (d) under budget,  (e) on their original deadline and  (f) ahead of their original deadline.

David Lammy: All my Department's information technology projects since 2001 have been delivered to time and to budget.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which web-related information technology projects cost her Department more than £50,000 since 2001; which companies submitted qualified tender proposals for each project; and which company was awarded each contract.

David Lammy: My Department has had two web-related information technology projects since 2001, both of which involved the redevelopment of the Department's main website (www.culture.gov.uk).
	The first was carried out using standard framework agreements so there were no qualified tender proposals. The contract was awarded to Amaze.
	The second project was subject to a limited tender of four companies:
	Precedent;
	DMA;
	Iconzest; and
	Rufus Leonard.
	The contract was awarded to Precedent.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which non-web-related information technology projects cost her Department more than £1 million since 2001; how many qualified tender proposals there were for each project; and which company was awarded each contract.

David Lammy: There have been no such projects.

Departmental IT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which of her Department's databases are  (a) wholly and  (b) partly operated by external organisations or individuals; and which organisations and individuals own those databases.

David Lammy: My Department has no databases either wholly or partly operated by external organisations or individuals.

Departmental IT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which databases operated by her Department are located  (a) wholly and  (b) partly outside the UK; and where each of those databases and parts of databases is located.

David Lammy: My Department has no databases located wholly or partly outside the UK.

Departmental Telephone Inquiries

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average response time was of her Department's general inquiries telephone line over the last period for which figures are available.

David Lammy: This information is not held centrally.
	Since July 2006 the Department has increased by 50 per cent. the opening hours for its central telephone line, and has developed a new automated answering service so that inquirers can be called back more rapidly after leaving messages.

Departmental Vacancies

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of vacancies in her Department in the last 12 months required candidates to have at least a grade C in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics GCSE.

David Lammy: In the last 12 months the Department ran one external competition for 18 administrative vacancies where candidates were required to have at least five GCSEs at grade C level or equivalent, which had to include English; however, mathematics was not stipulated. A further six singleton vacancies advertised externally during the year did not set any minimum educational qualifications.

Digital Dividend Review

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department has consulted industry representatives on the period between publication of the final proposals of the Digital Dividend Review and the implementation of its conclusions; and if she will publish a list of those who were consulted.

Shaun Woodward: The Department has not consulted with industry representatives on proposals for the Digital Dividend Review.
	On 17 November 2005 Ofcom announced the beginning of the Digital Dividend Review project. This is to examine the options arising from the release of spectrum afforded by the digital switchover programme. It is for Ofcom to consult with stakeholders on plans for the Digital Dividend Review.

Digital Dividend Review

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to publish an interim report further to the Digital Dividend Review Consultation; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: On 17 November 2005 Ofcom announced the beginning of the Digital Dividend Review project to examine the options arising from the release of spectrum afforded by the digital switchover programme.
	It is for Ofcom to decide when to publish a report.

Digital Dividend Review

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which industry representatives were consulted as part of her Department's Digital Dividend Review consultation.

Shaun Woodward: The Department has not consulted with industry representatives on proposals for the Digital Dividend Review.
	On 17 November 2005 Ofcom announced the beginning of the Digital Dividend Review project. This is to examine the options arising from the release of spectrum afforded by the digital switchover programme. It is for Ofcom to decide who to consult in relation to the Digital Dividend Review.

Digital Switchover

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the percentage of households that will qualify for assistance in switching over to digital television in the East Midlands.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available in the format requested. We estimate that around 510,000 households in the East Midlands will be eligible for the digital switchover help scheme. The details are in the following table.
	
		
			  Category  Number 
			 Households where the eligible person is 75 or over 305,000 
			 Households where the qualifying person qualifies because of eligibility to disability living allowance or attendance allowance 205,000 
			 Total 510,000 
			  Notes:  1. Eligibility for help from the digital switchover help scheme will be by benefit unit rather than the whole household definition used by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Office to forecast future household growth. The scheme definition of eligible households mirrors Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) definition of a benefit unit: a couple (which from December 2005 includes gay couples) and any dependent children. It excludes adults deemed to be non-dependents who, if eligible, will be able to claim assistance from the help scheme in their own right.  2. The estimates use data from the Department for Work and Pensions Client Group Analysis for November 2005 adjusted by changes in future household and benefits growth for the period from 2005 until the date switchover takes place in the relevant area.  3. The figures do not include households where the person qualifying for help under the scheme is registered blind or registered partially sighted who qualify on grounds of registration rather than on grounds of age or entitlement to disability benefits.

Digital Switchover

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the percentage of households that will qualify for assistance in switching over to digital television in the London borough of Bexley.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available in the format requested. We estimate that around 28,000 households in the London borough of Bexley will be eligible for the Digital Switchover Help Scheme. The details are in the following table.
	
		
			  Category  Number 
			 Households where the eligible person is 75 or over 17,000 
			 Households where the qualifying person qualifies because of eligibility to disability living allowance or attendance allowance 11,000 
			 Total 28,000 
			  Notes: 1. Eligibility for help from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme will be by benefit unit rather than the whole household definition used by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Office to forecast future household growth. The scheme definition of eligible households mirrors Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) definition of a benefit unit: a couple (which from December 2005 includes gay couples) and any dependent children. It excludes adults deemed to be non-dependents who, if eligible, will be able to claim assistance from the help scheme in their own right. 2. The estimates use data from the Department for Work and Pensions Client Group Analysis for November 2005 adjusted by changes in future household and benefits growth for the period from 2005 until the date switchover takes place in the relevant area. 3. The figures do not include households where the person qualifying for help under the scheme is registered blind or registered partially sighted who qualify on grounds of registration rather than on grounds of age or entitlement to disability benefits.

Digital Switchover

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the percentage of households that will qualify for assistance in switching to digital television in the Lancashire region.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available in the format requested. We estimate that around 191,000 households in Lancashire will be eligible for the Digital Switchover Help Scheme. The details are in the following table.
	
		
			  Category  Number 
			 Households where the eligible person is 75 or over 104,000 
			 Households where the qualifying person qualifies because of eligibility to disability living allowance or attendance allowance 87,000 
			 Total 191,000 
			  Notes: 1. Eligibility for help from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme will be by benefit unit rather than the whole household definition used by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Office to forecast future household growth. The scheme definition of eligible households mirrors Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) definition of a benefit unit: a couple (which from December 2005 includes gay couples) and any dependent children. It excludes adults deemed to be non-dependents who, if eligible, will be able to claim assistance from the help scheme in their own right. 2. The estimates use data from the Department for Work and Pensions Client Group Analysis for November 2005 adjusted by changes in future household and benefits growth for the period from 2005 until the date switchover takes place in the relevant area. 3. The figures do not include households where the person qualifying for help under the scheme is registered blind or registered partially sighted who qualify on grounds of registration rather than on grounds of age or entitlement to disability benefits.

Islam and Muslim Affairs

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements her Department has for offering her advice on Islam and matters relating to Muslims; and who her advisers are on Islam and Muslim affairs.

David Lammy: Where appropriate, officials in the relevant policy area provide advice on matters relating to Muslim communities.
	The Department for Communities and Local Government is the lead Department on domestic matters relating to Muslim communities and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is the lead Department on international matters. Where appropriate officials seek advice from these Departments.
	The Department has used networks of faith groups in the past to help plan major policies and events, and intends to investigate establishing more permanent networks in various communities in future.

Licence Fee

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what account she takes of  (a) the financial position of and  (b) borrowing by the BBC when considering changes to the licence fee.

Shaun Woodward: The Government are conducting a funding review to determine the level of the licence fee to apply from April 2007. All relevant factors are being considered as part of the review.

Muslim Council of Britain

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much  (a) financial support and  (b) support in kind her Department and its agencies have given to the Muslim Council of Britain in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: My Department provides no financial support or support in kind to the Muslim Council of Britain.

Olympic Games

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Chancellor on his pledge to recruit 1 million Olympic volunteers; what additional resource will be provided to meet this target; and when she expects to achieve it.

Tessa Jowell: In his speech at the HMRC Corporate and Social Responsibility Conference on 24 October, the Chancellor referred to a separate announcement of 1 million new young volunteers to be recruited by an independent charity, v, which has already created over 55,000 new volunteering opportunities in just over six months of operation.
	My Department is separately working with the Office for the Third Sector in Cabinet Office on a cross- government action plan to ensure that volunteering is embedded in the Olympics as well as its legacy, including support for the London Organising Committee of the Games strategy to recruit 70,000 volunteers needed at the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Some 100,000 people have already registered their interest in volunteering at the Games.

Places of Worship (VAT)

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had with HM Treasury on extending the VAT refund arrangements available to listed places of worship to unlisted church buildings within conservation areas; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: No discussions have taken place on extending the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme to unlisted churches. The scheme is focused on those places of worship that are formally recognised as having special architectural or historic interest, and recognises that their repair and maintenance generally requires specialist craftsmen and costly materials, the cost of which often falls on small congregations.

Radio Spectrum

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance her Department is giving to the programme making and special events industry in its negotiations to harmonise the use of the radio spectrum throughout Europe; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: I have been asked to reply.
	The Office of Communications (Ofcom), the independent regulator of communications, is responsible for managing civil radio spectrum in the UK including the allocation and licensing of frequency bands used by programme making and special events (PMSE). In accordance with general directions made under section 22 of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom also represents the UK in relevant international meetings to discuss proposals for agreeing harmonised use of frequencies for particular applications.
	The European Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) has previously considered the case for harmonisation of PMSE frequencies in Europe and the findings were published in an ECC report in 2002. The report made recommendations on preferred frequency sub bands for video links for Services Ancillary to Programme making (SAP) and Services Ancillary to Broadcasting (SAB). Ofcom is wherever possible assigning SAP and SAB services in the identified bands.
	Ofcom is also working with other European regulators to determine the scope for global harmonisation of frequency bands for Electronic News Gathering (ENG) with a view to developing a common European position in response to a study being undertaken by the International Telecommunication Union.

Religious Organisations (Grants)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department has provided in  (a) grant and  (b) non-repayable grant to (i) the Church of England, (ii) Islamic organisations and (iii) other religions in the past five years; who the recipients were of each grant; and what the amount of the grant was in each case.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport makes grants to faith groups via the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme. The scheme returns the equivalent of the VAT incurred in making repairs to listed buildings used primarily for worship. All grants are non-repayable. The amounts disbursed since the start of the scheme in 2001 to the faith groups listed are in the table. Grants to other Christian denominations are excluded from the table.
	
		
			  Faith group  Amounts disbursed (£) 
			 Church of England 35,067,908.75 
			 Islamic Organisations 12,885.78 
			 Jewish 253,344.92 
			 Buddhist 149,734.86 
			 Hindu 7,740.01 
			 Sikh 21,537.70 
		
	
	English Heritage, sponsored by the Department, contributes to the Repair Grants for Places of Worship in England scheme, operated and funded jointly with the Heritage Lottery Fund. The scheme funds repairs to listed places of worship. All grants are non-repayable.
	Since the launch of the scheme in April 2002, 1,035 offers have been made over four annual bidding rounds. These offers were made up as follows:
	928 offers totalling £82,778,000 to Church of England congregations;
	no offers to Islamic organisations;
	one offer totalling £175,000 to the Buddhist congregation;
	one offer totalling £116,000 to the Sikh congregation;
	seven offers totalling £881,000 to the Jewish congregations.
	The remaining offers were made to Christian congregations other than those of the Church of England.
	In addition, English Heritage operates a grant scheme for cathedrals, under which around £7 million has been offered in the last five years.

Sarah Brown

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings  (a) her Department and  (b) its related agencies have held with Sarah Brown since 1997.

David Lammy: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Seaside Piers

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment her Department has made of the  (a) condition,  (b) viability and  (c) cultural significance of British seaside piers.

David Lammy: This Department has not carried out an assessment of the condition, viability or cultural significance of English seaside piers. However, English Heritage's Seaside Research Project, to be published in autumn 2007, is assessing the broad historical contribution of the pier to the story of England's seaside. Seventy-five English piers are listed as having special architectural or historic interest, of which two are included in the current English Heritage register of Buildings at Risk.
	Responsibility for piers in Scotland and Wales lies with the relevant devolved Administrations.

Sport England

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1452W, on Sport England, whether she was aware that one of the candidates was personally known to the Minister for Sport when she consulted him on the two candidates recommended for appointment by the interview panel for the post of Chair of Sport England; and what safeguards were put in place to prevent a conflict of interests.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1452W. In order to avoid any possible conflict of interests, the Minister for Sport was open with me and officials from the outset about the fact that one of the candidates was personally known to him.

Website Security

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the standard of age verification procedures on websites selling  (a) alcohol and  (b) DVDs, videos and computer games.

Shaun Woodward: The Department has made no assessment of verification procedures for age restricted sales over the internet.
	However, the Government's reform of the licensing regime has brought internet sales of alcohol in line with those in shops and pubs so that anyone who sells alcohol to someone under 18 is committing an offence, as is anyone under 18 who attempts to buy alcohol over the internet.
	Trading Standards Officers have enforcement powers for illegal sales of alcohol and videos and games, and they have not expressed any concerns. Internet sales have to be made with a credit or debit card and increasingly, to prevent fraud, can only be delivered to the address at which the card is registered. Only over-18s have credit cards. It is true that younger people may have debit cards, but goods delivered to a home address will be monitored by parents.
	It is in retailers' interests to ensure that they put proper checks in place to ensure that they are not selling age restricted products illegally. I have every confidence that the police or trading standards will clamp down on individuals or companies that do not put in place sufficient safeguards to prevent such sales.

PRIME MINISTER

Air Fuel Taxes

Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the prospects for introduction of EU-wide taxes on kerosene air fuel.

Tony Blair: I have had no recent discussions with EU counterparts on this issue. However, the Government recognise that the exemption of aviation from fuel tax is anomalous, and continue to argue for change on an international level.

Departmental Staff

Harry Cohen: To ask the Prime Minister if his Office will  (a) carry out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its workforce,  (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers,  (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and  (d) extend to over-fifties the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-East (Mr. McFadden), the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office today.

Diaries/Memoirs

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to request  (a) Cabinet Ministers and  (b) all other Ministers to disclose publicly whether they are keeping a diary with a view to publication.

Tony Blair: Guidance relating to the publication of memoirs is set out in the Ministerial Code.

Diaries/Memoirs

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister how many manuscripts of memoirs were submitted to the Cabinet Secretary in each year since 1997; and how many of them were cleared without any amendment of the text being requested in each year.

Tony Blair: As my answer to my hon. Friend of 12 October 2006,  Official Report, column 862W, made clear, any discussions between an author and the Cabinet Office on a draft manuscript are confidential.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to oppose a change of Prime Minister in Iraq.

Tony Blair: Prime Minister al-Maliki and his Government have our full support. They were chosen by the democratically elected Iraqi Parliament, under the permanent new Iraqi Constitution, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by a national referendum last year.

Ministerial Meetings

Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister when he last met General Richard Dannatt; and what matters were discussed.

Tony Blair: My officials and I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a wide range of subjects. Information relating to internal meetings, discussion and advice is not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

Ministerial Statements

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to issue written Ministerial statements announcing changes to Ministerial posts and personnel; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 23 June 2003,  Official Report, column 616W.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Staff

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the pay grades are of the staff in his Department.

John Prescott: Two of my staff are Senior Civil Servants. The remainder are in a range of grades from Administrative Officer to Grade 6.

Diplomatic Gifts

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what gifts purchased with public funds he has given to foreign dignitaries in each of the last nine years; what the  (a) name of the recipient,  (b) nature of the gift and  (c) approximate value of the gift was in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when gifts have been given to overseas dignitaries at public cost by his Office in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code at paragraph 10.19; to whom such gifts were given; what the gifts were; what the value of each gift was; and whether gifts were offered in exchange in each case.

John Prescott: It would not be appropriate to provide details of gifts and their cost as to do so could cause offence and discourtesy.

Overseas Visits

John Maples: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who is accompanying him at public expense on his forthcoming trip to the Far East; how he will travel on each part of the journey; what the estimated cost is to public funds of the trip for all those travelling; whether he will be entertained at any stage by an  (a) private individual and  (b) organisation in connection with his official duties; and what the objectives of the trip are.

John Prescott: Details of the cost of overseas travel undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more are published annually. Information for 2005-06 was published on 24 July 2006. Copies of the lists are available in the Library for the reference of Members.
	All Ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the "Ministerial Code" and "Travel by Ministers", copies of which are available in the Library for the reference of Members. All official travel is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the "Civil Service Management Code", a copy of which is also available in the Library for the reference of Members.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Airbus

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library the minutes of his meeting of 23 October 2006 with the head of  (a) Airbus UK and  (b) EADS on the future role of UK plants involved in the production of the Airbus A350.

Margaret Hodge: Details of the discussions with the co-CEOs of EADs on 23 October 2006 are commercially confidential.

Airbus

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what undertakings he has been given by  (a) Airbus UK and  (b) EADS on preserving the jobs of Airbus employees in Wales.

Margaret Hodge: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced at the press conference following the Airbus ministerial meeting at the Farnborough Airshow on 17 July 2006 that
	"...EADS, in principle, have agreed: 1—that the original undertakings regarding UK industrial workshare given by EADS to the UK when Airbus was formed in 2000, will survive any shareholding sale;..."
	On 12 October, the co-CEOs of EADS confirmed to us that they would respect these undertakings.
	The Government are working hard to safeguard British interests and will remain in close contact with EADS and Airbus as they work through the implications of ensuring that Airbus remains competitive.

Animal Experiments

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government funded research is undertaken at Long Than monkey farm and testing centre in Vietnam; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 23 October 2006
	No UK Government funded research is undertaken at Long Than monkey farm and testing centre in Vietnam.

Balance of Payments

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual balance of payments surplus or deficit is for  (a) each of the English regions,  (b) Scotland and  (c) Wales.

Alistair Darling: Regional statistics are not available on a balance of payments basis.
	HM Revenue and Customs publish regional data on international trade in goods. Their latest figures for 2005, combining European Union and non-EU trade on an overseas trade statistics basis, are:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Exports of goods  Imports of goods  Difference 
			 United Kingdom 211,756 272,287 (60,531) 
			 
			 North East 8,379 6,270 2,109 
			 North West 19,307 19,618 (310) 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 11,873 12,832 (959) 
			 
			 East Midlands 16,015 13,251 2,764 
			 West Midlands 15,206 19,640 (4,434) 
			 
			 East 19,131 34,357 (15,226) 
			 London 26,371 43,342 (16,971) 
			 South East 32,231 62,897 (30,666) 
			 South West 10,347 11,552 (1,205) 
			 
			 England 158,860 223,758 (64,898) 
			 Wales 8,645 6,394 2,251 
			 Scotland 12,661 9,060 3,601 
			 Northern Ireland 4,614 4,015 599 
			 Unknown 26,975 29,059 (2,084) 
		
	
	These data exclude internal UK trade between regions and countries.
	Partial figures for regional exports of services are included in the DTFs annual publication 'Regional Competitiveness and State of the Regions'. Regional figures for imports of services or for other components of the balance of payments current account are not available.

Carbon Capture

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with Commissioner Piebalgs on European Commission proposals to require all new coal-fired power plants built in the European Union to be designated to allow retrofit of carbon capture technologies.

Malcolm Wicks: None. There are currently no European Commission proposals to require all new coal fired plants built in the European Union to be made 'capture ready'.

Construction Industry

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the construction industry of delays in utility companies carrying out the required work at new developments.

Margaret Hodge: The Department has not made such an assessment.

Corus

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with  (a) Corus and  (b) Tata Industries in respect of (i) the proposed takeover of Corus and (ii) its potential effects on Corus steel plants in the UK.

Margaret Hodge: There have been no meetings with either party to discuss these issues. My officials have been keeping in close touch with developments. As the takeover proposal is now a matter for Corus's shareholders we do not plan to hold any meetings with the companies at this stage.

Counterfeit DVDs

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment he has made of the effect upon legitimate traders of the illegal trade in DVDs; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Although the Government have not made a recent assessment of the specific effect of DVD piracy, we recognise that there is a significant effect on legitimate traders and consumers from counterfeiting and piracy in general. In order to ensure a joined up industry and Government response to counterfeiting and piracy, the Government launched the National IP Crime Strategy in 2004. The Annual Enforcement Report, published by the Patent Office, sets out the range of action being taken by Government and industry bodies to tackle this problem.

Departmental Expenditure

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department spent on  (a) the Employment Tribunals Service,  (b) the Insolvency Service,  (c) the Patent Office,  (d) the National Weights and Measures Laboratory and  (e) Companies House; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 24 October 2006
	In 2005-06 the Department's expenditure on the Employment Tribunals Service was £69.023 million, on the Insolvency Service £24.048 million and on the National Weights and Measures Laboratory £2.285 million. The figures for the latter two organisations reflect the Department's contribution, not the full cost of these bodies, which are partly funded by charges for their services.
	Companies House and the Patent Office are trading funds, and in the case of the Patent Office its costs are entirely covered by fee income. The only funding provided by the Department for Companies House was £3.600 million to cover the costs of collecting late filing penalties. All other Companies House costs are met by fee income.

Departmental Redundancies

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library copies of the advice his Department provides to officials on  (a) taking voluntary redundancy and  (b) being made compulsorily redundant; what steps his Department (i) has taken and (ii) plans to take during the next year to reduce spending in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Staff considering voluntary early departure or who may be made compulsorily redundant are able to access the Cabinet Office pensions website which explains the benefits available under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme, and leavers are invited to attend either a pre-retirement course or a course covering job search, setting up a business and pursuing self-employment.
	The Department's strategy is to become a more streamlined, influential, policy-making Department, with delivery through our agencies and arm's length bodies. We are constantly looking at providing better value for money and greater efficiency in all our activities, but especially our own running costs. To this end, we are currently looking at how we can use our accommodation and ICT resources most efficiently, as well as examining whether our organisational structure is the most appropriate to deliver on our objectives in the medium term. This work will bring savings next year and in following years, and is being carried out as an integral part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Departmental Travel

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent by his Department on  (a) chartering aircraft and  (b) non-scheduled air travel in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No costs have been incurred by the Department in the last five years on chartering aircraft for internal flights, or on non-scheduled air travel. There is only one instance in the last five years of a DTI Minister using a non-scheduled flight (PQ 20047 213446), and the cost in that case was met by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Office.
	In respect of overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. Where non-scheduled aircraft are used this is shown in the list. Information for 2005-06 was published on 24 July 2006. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House for the reference of Members. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the "Ministerial Code" and "Travel by Ministers", copies of which are available in the Library of the House for the reference of Members. All official travel is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the "Civil Service Management Code", a copy of which is also available in the Library of the House for the reference of Members.

Energy Review

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the expected timetable is for completion of each of the consultations and further studies set out in chapter 9 of the Energy Review, Cm 6887.

Malcolm Wicks: A number of consultations have already been launched and work is under way to take forward the ambitious package of measures outlined in the Energy Review report. This work will feed into an Energy White Paper next year.
	For further details see the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/index.html.

Energy Technologies Institute

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1495, on the Energy Technologies Institute, who the  (a) large company,  (b) small and medium sized enterprises and  (c) non-governmental organisation who expressed interest were.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry published a Prospectus for the Energy Technologies Institute on 14 September. By 11 October the following organisations from Wales had expressed an interest:
	(a) one large company, Corus;
	(b) two SMEs: OpTIC Technium/Optropreneurs Ltd. an IQE plc; and
	(c) one NGO, the Centre for Alternative Technology.
	In addition, the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, was mistakenly omitted from the response to my hon. Friend's earlier question.

Enterprise Capital Funds

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been invested in Enterprise Capital funds.

Margaret Hodge: To date, the Government have awarded six Enterprise Capital Funds and have agreed in principle to invest £106.2 million. Taken together with the private investment expected to be raised by each Enterprise Capital Fund, there will be a total of £162.5 million being available for investment over the 10-year life of each fund.

Enterprise Insight

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will reply to Question 85681, on Enterprise Insight, tabled by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland on 11 July.

Margaret Hodge: According to DTI internal records this question was answered on 24 July. However, it did not appear in the  Official Report for that day. I have sent the hon. Member a copy of the original answer.

Farepak

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate the circumstances surrounding the administration of hamper company Farepak.

Malcolm Wicks: I cannot make any comment on the particular case but I do sympathise with any customers who may lose money they have invested with Farepak.
	The company went into administration on 13 October and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade has already been in contact with the administrators.
	The administrators have a statutory duty to report to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if they consider that the conduct of any of the directors makes them unfit to be the directors of a limited company. The Secretary of State then has a discretionary power to seek to have the directors disqualified if it appears to him to be in the public interest. My right hon. Friend hopes hon. Members will appreciate that these are very early days in the administration. If any Member has constituents with concerns about the conduct of the company's affairs, they should contact the administrators.

Farepak

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the collapse of Farepak; whether the company continued to collect payments from families after being declared bankrupt; and what steps he is taking to assess what lessons can be learnt for the future.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 25 October 2006
	First let me say that I sympathise with any customers who may lose money as a result of this failure of Farepak.
	The company went into administration on 13 October and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade met the administrators on 21 October to discuss the situation. They told him that they are working hard to establish the extent of the company's liabilities and the whereabouts of any assets.
	The administrators have a statutory duty to report to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if they consider that the conduct of any of the directors makes them unfit to be the directors of a limited company. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State then has a discretionary power to seek to have the directors disqualified if it appears to him to be in the public interest.
	Also, directors do not enjoy absolute immunity from personal liability when a company goes into liquidation. If there is evidence in liquidation cases to indicate that there has been fraudulent or wrongful trading, a liquidator can ask the court to declare that those responsible should make a personal contribution towards the assets of the company.
	My right hon. Friend hopes hon. Members will appreciate that these are very early days in the administration. If any Member has constituents with concerns about the conduct of the company's affairs, they should contact the administrators.
	My right hon. Friend has also asked officials to make further inquiries as to the circumstances of the company's failure.
	My right hon. Friend has been discussing with the British Retail Consortium the possibility of their members making some form of goodwill gesture to the customers of Farepak who have lost the money they had been saving towards Christmas. I am pleased to say that the BRC has accepted in principle this suggestion, given the exceptional circumstances, and are contacting their members to consider further the practical steps required. This will not be a compensation package, and members of the BRC are under no legal obligation to provide any help, but they have had a lot of interest from many large retailers, who are keen to try and do something, and I am grateful to them for their co-operation.

Farepak

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response he has had from the British Retail Consortium to his inquiry about support for those affected by the collapse of Farepak.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 25 October 2006
	I have great sympathy for those people who have lost money they saved over the year as a result of the collapse of Farepak and feel badly let down.
	My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade met the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and administrators of Farepak on 21 October to assess the level of the problem caused by the company going into administration.
	It was a productive meeting and the BRC accepted in principle the idea of a goodwill gesture, given the exceptional circumstances surrounding Christmas. The discussion focused on the number of people affected and how my right hon. Friend wants to ensure that any package would be simple, not derisory, fraud free, easy to administer at store level and providing as much choice as possible for the customers to shop where they want.
	This will not be a compensation package and members of the BRC are under no legal obligation to provide any help but they have had a lot of interest from many large retailers, who are keen to try and do something. The BRC is in discussion with its members so that retailers can decide what they might be able to provide and to consider further the practical steps required to take this matter further.
	My right hon. Friend would like to thank personally both the Administrators and the BRC for their co-operation so far.
	In the meantime, customers who have paid money to Farepak either directly or through an agent should contact the Administrators, BDO Stoy Hayward, to register a claim. Contact details are:
	Website: www.farepak.co.uk
	Telephone: 0870 830 6010
	Fax: 01793 606057
	E-mail: customer.claims@farepak.co.uk
	Postal: Farepak Food & Gifts Limited—In Administration
	Kings Wharf
	20-30 Kings Road
	Reading
	RG1 3EX
	Customers should ensure that their payment books are up to date and that they retain the books as evidence of their claim.

Farepak

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received concerning the placing into administration of Farepak Food and Gifts Limited; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: I have great sympathy for those people who have lost money they saved over the year as a result of the collapse of Farepak and feel badly let down. There is wide public interest in this case and that has been reflected in a range of representations from individuals, MPs and business.
	The company went into administration on 13 October. The administrators are required to act in the interests of all of the creditors and should seek the best outcome for them. They also have a statutory duty to report to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if they consider that the conduct of any of the directors makes them unfit to be the directors of a limited company. In addition, as the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced to the Trade and Industry Committee, an investigation under the Companies Act 1985 is now under way.
	My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade met the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and administrators of Farepak on 21 October to assess the level of the problem caused by the company going into administration.
	It was a productive meeting and the BRC accepted in principle the idea of a goodwill gesture, given the exceptional circumstances surrounding Christmas. The discussion focused on the number of people affected and how my right hon. Friend wants to ensure that any package would be simple, not derisory, fraud free, easy to administer at store level and providing as much choice as possible for the customers to shop where they want.
	This will not be a compensation package and members of the BRC are under no legal obligation to provide any help but they have had a lot of interest from many large retailers, who are keen to try and do something. The BRC is in discussion with its members so that retailers can decide what they might be able to provide and to consider further the practical steps required to take this matter further.
	My right hon. Friend would like to thank personally both the Administrators and the BRC for their co-operation so far.
	In the meantime, customers who have paid money to Farepak either directly or through an agent should contact the Administrators, BDO Stoy Hayward, to register a claim. Contact details are:
	Website: www.farepak.co.uk
	Telephone: 0870 830 6010
	Fax: 01793 606057
	Email:customer.claims@farepak.co.uk
	Postal:Farepak Food and Gifts Limited—In Administration
	Kings Wharf
	20-30 Kings Road
	Reading RG1 3EX
	Customers should ensure that their payment books are up to date and that they retain the books as evidence of their claim.

Furniture Industry

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with HM Revenue and Customs on the import of furniture which does not meet required safety standards.

Malcolm Wicks: None. Fire safety of furniture imported to the UK is governed by the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. These Regulations are enforced by Trading Standards. HM Revenue and Customs liaises with Trading Standards on furniture imports as appropriate.

Furniture Industry

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the European Commission on the effect on the UK furniture industry of standards applying to the manufacture of furniture.

Malcolm Wicks: None.

Furniture Industry

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the European Commission's policy is towards the regulation of standards in the furniture industry in Europe.

Malcolm Wicks: The European Commission's policy on standards is reflected in the General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC, where European standards are recognised as a means by which products can be shown to meet the general safety requirement. However, the directive also acknowledges that the requirements of national legislation (including mandatory compliance with national standards) take precedence in the absence of product-specific Europe legislation.

International Trade Advisers

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many international trade advisers there are in his Department.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 26 October 2006
	Through UK Trade and Investment, the Department funds 264 international trade advisers across the English regions.

Lancaster Vision Board

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total annual staffing costs are of the Lancaster Vision Board.

Margaret Hodge: Annual staffing support costs for the Lancaster and Morecambe Vision Board are £37,194.

Lancaster Vision Board

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding has been allocated to the Lancaster and Morecambe Vision Board since it was set up.

Margaret Hodge: The North West regional development agency has agreed to provide Lancaster city council with £200,000 in support of Vision Board activity for the period 2004-05 to 2006-07.

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims have been made for  (a) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and  (b) vibration white finger in the name of John Mann of Nottinghamshire; by which solicitor the claims were made; and in which parliamentary constituency Mr. Mann resides or resided.

Malcolm Wicks: There have been no claims made for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or vibration white finger (VWF) in the name of John Mann of Nottinghamshire.

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which solicitors submitted more than 100 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims on 31 March 2004; how many claims were submitted on this date by each solicitor; how many of these solicitors are based in Bassetlaw; and how many of these claims  (a) in total and  (b) from solicitors in Bassetlaw related to deceased miners.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of claimants' representatives who submitted more than 100 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) claims on 31 March 2004 is shown as follows:
	
		
			  Practice name  Number of claims submitted  Number of deceased claims 
			 Raleys Solicitors 3,258 1,984 
			 Delta Legal 1,999 1,307 
			 Avalon Solicitors 1,433 642 
			 Thompsons Solicitors 918 520 
			 Browell Smith & Co 458 259 
			 Hugh James 281 161 
			 Beresfords Solicitors 271 197 
			 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 242 3 
			 1 Legal Solicitors 208 134 
			 Meloy Whittle Robinson 205 89 
			 Recompense Ltd. 205 137 
			 Cordner Lewis Solicitors 195 134 
			 BRM Solicitors 195 164 
			 Bailey Bravo Jobling 183 139 
			 Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers 179 89 
			 Corries Solicitors 149 86 
			 Ingrams Solicitors 142 86 
			 Birchall Blackburn 124 86 
			 The Legal Warehouse 114 62 
			 Total claims 10,759 6,279 
		
	
	None of these firms are based in Bassetlaw.

Nuclear Power

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he plans to make of which designs of generation III reactors are suitable for pre-licensing assessment.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department is working with the independent nuclear regulators to develop a system for the pre-licensing of generic nuclear power plant designs, in line with the commitments given in the 2006 Energy Review report. Details of these arrangements will be included in the guidance for applicants to be issued in early 2007.

Nuclear Power

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment has been made of the safety of UK nuclear power plants; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The UK has a robust licensing regime enforced by HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) which places a clear legal duty on the nuclear power plant licensees to ensure that safety is maintained at all times throughout a nuclear plant's operational life and its decommissioning. This requires regular assessments by the licensees which are submitted for regulatory scrutiny by the NII. The NII will not allow the continued operation or restart of a nuclear reactor unless it is satisfied that it is safe to do so.

Olympic Games

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures his Department is taking to ensure that sufficient radio spectrum will be available to the programme making and special events sector to ensure the smooth running of the 2012 Olympics; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 19 October 2006
	. The Government were required to provide guarantees to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the availability of spectrum as part of the London bid to stage the games. DTI officials are therefore working with the Office of Communications (Ofcom), the independent regulator of communications, responsible for managing civil radio spectrum in the UK including the allocation and licensing of frequency bands used by programme making and special events, to ensure that sufficient and suitable spectrum is available to meet the essential requirements of users at the 2012 Olympics.

Power Stations

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications to his Department for new power stations are outstanding; what the size of each proposed station is; when each application was submitted; and what the  (a) status and  (b) anticipated date for commissioning is of each application.

Malcolm Wicks: The DTI website details current applications at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/markets/electricity-developments_-_consents/applications/page23224.html. Decisions on these applications will be made when they have completed scrutiny in the process, which may or may not include consideration at a public inquiry. Should approval be given, actual commissioning is a commercial matter for the developer.

Power Stations

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from  (a) the Countryside Council for Wales and  (b) other organisations on the proposed RWE power station in Pembroke.

Malcolm Wicks: The Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment Agency Wales have both lodged holding objections to the application subject to further work being undertaken to show that the cooling water discharge will not have a detrimental impact on the Haven.

Retirement Age

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 12 October 2006,  Official Report, column 867W, on retirement age, what the evidential basis was for the decision to impose a national default retirement age of 65 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Our decision to provide for a default retirement age of 65 took into account evidence from a number of sources including responses to extensive consultations—'Towards Equality and Diversity' in 2002 and 'Age Matters' in 2003—and research conducted on behalf of the Department.

Retirement Age

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his Department's review of the default retirement age, 
	(1)  on what basis decisions were made to allow working beyond 65;
	(2)  if he will increase the size of the sample used to assess the effectiveness of the default retirement age over the next five years;
	(3)  what evidence he examined from other countries on developing his Department's policy on a compulsory retirement age.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 introduce a default retirement age of 65 together with procedures whereby the employee has a right to request that he or she be allowed to continue in work beyond the employer's normal retirement age. The employer has a duty to consider this request, and if both employer and employee agree the employee can continue in work. This will move towards a culture where a retirement decision is influenced by the individual circumstances and preferences of employers and employees, rather than an assumption about the norm. These arrangements were introduced in order to deliver the Government's labour market objectives recognising the need for workforce planning and avoiding adverse impact on the provision of occupational pensions and other work-related benefits.
	In March this year we published the Survey of Employers' Policies, Practices, and Preferences Relating to Age that will provide the baseline for assessing the impact of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006. Once the legislation has bedded in, we intend to carry out a follow-up survey, to inform the review of the default retirement age in 2011. We will also explore, with the Office for National Statistics and the Department for Work and Pensions, the process for collating better statistical data on employee retirement intentions and behaviour.
	The default retirement age has been developed as a result of extensive consultation. We have been interested in how other countries have approached age discrimination and seeing what lessons we could draw on. However, we have developed legislation that is right for Britain and which takes into account our own particular domestic and economic circumstances.

Retraining Initiatives

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investment and initiatives his Department is providing to retrain low skilled workers.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The Department is working closely with the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to drive up skills by implementing the Government's Skills Strategy. The Learning and Skills Council (a DfES non-departmental public body) is responsible for planning and funding initiatives to retrain low skilled workers.
	As part of its Skills Strategy, the Government are providing funding for basic skills provision and first full Level 2 qualifications (equivalent to 5 GCSEs A-C). Employers can access this support for their low skilled workers via Train to Gain, a new service run by the Learning and Skills Council, designed to help businesses get the training they need to succeed and delivered at a time and place that suits their business.
	Furthermore, in the North West and West Midlands, subsidised level 3 qualifications (equivalent to two A levels) are also being offered in this flexible way through Train to Gain and in London a third trial offering subsidised training to achieve a Level 3 qualification to women at a disadvantage is in place in response to the Women and Work Commission's recommendations of earlier this year.

Shoes (EU Duties)

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's policy is on the imposition by the EU of duties on shoes from China and Vietnam; and how the policy was formulated.

Malcolm Wicks: The UK opposed the imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports of footwear with uppers of leather originating in China and Vietnam. We did so after examining the economic case for imposing duties and carefully considering the representations made to us by UK retailers and importers.

Small Business Service

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many managing directors the Small Business Service has.

Margaret Hodge: The Small Business Service currently has two managing director posts. One is concerned with small business policy matters and the other with service development issues.

UK Competitiveness

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the competitiveness of  (a) South Korea and  (b) the United Kingdom in terms of (i) educational attainment, (ii) levels of profit reinvested in research and development and (iii) improvement of skills levels through further and higher education.

Jim Fitzpatrick: For international comparisons of educational attainment and skill levels, the main source of comparable international data is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's annual publication, 'Education at a Glance'. The most recent statistics available are for 2004 and the relevant figures for the United Kingdom and Korea are presented in the following table.
	
		
			  Educational attainment of the adult (aged 25-64) population, 2004 
			   Percentage of the adult population with their highest qualification classified as: 
			   Low  Intermediate  High 
			 United Kingdom 35 36 29 
			 Korea 26 44 30 
			  Source:  OECD Education at a Glance 2006. Low, intermediate and high are derived from the International Standard Classification of Education. Low relates to the successful completion of compulsory schooling with the skills required for further study; intermediate skills prepare an individual for higher education; high skills are degree or equivalent qualifications. 
		
	
	For R and D, data collected by the Office for National Statistics from the UK Business Enterprise R and D Survey shows that in 2004, £13.5 billion was spent on R and D performed within UK businesses. This represents 1.15 per cent. of gross domestic product. The OECD reports the equivalent business enterprise R and D statistics for Korea.
	
		
			  Business Enterprise R and D as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) 
			   UK  Korea 
			 2000 1.20 1.77 
			 2001 1.23 1.97 
			 2002 1.24 1.90 
			 2003 1.23 2.00 
			 2004 1.15 2.19 
			  Source:  ONS (UK) and OECD (Korea)

UK Trade and Investment

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent by the Government on UK Trade and Investment in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Darling: The published accounts for UK Trade and Investment, formerly British Trade International, show the spend (net resource outturn) over the past five years as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  £000 
			 2001-02 257,121 
			 2002-03 278,863 
			 2003-04 288,705 
			 2004-05 285,672 
			 2005-06 284,396 
		
	
	UKTI is a joint operation of the FCO as well as the DTI, and the expenditure figures above include directly managed programme funds as well as administration costs funded by the DTI and FCO.

Vision Boards

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the North West regional development agency has provided model constitutions for the Vision Boards it has set up in the North West.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 24 October 2006
	Vision Boards were established on an informal basis and as such governance arrangements are entirely their responsibility. The North West regional development agency has not provided model constitutions for the boards but would provide advice and guidance if requested.

Vision Boards

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria are used for the selection of representatives for the Vision Boards set up by the North West Regional Development Agency.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 24 October 2006
	There are no strict criteria for the selection of representatives on to the Vision Boards, although the North West Regional Development Agency recommends appointment of a private sector chair, and good private sector representation. The composition of the board is ultimately agreed locally; therefore membership is a matter for each individual board.

Vision Boards

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place between the chairman of the Lancaster Vision Board and the North West regional development agency on  (a) the Northern Bypass and  (b) Lancaster Castle.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 24 October 2006
	The North West regional development agency has discussed both the Northern Bypass and Lancaster Castle with the Vision Board and its chair. The agency has expressed its support for the Northern Bypass. The potential future use of Lancaster Castle to support City's heritage tourism and visitor offer has also been discussed.

Watson Burton Solicitors

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many  (a) vibration white finger and  (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cases have been settled by Watson Burton solicitors; and how much has been received in costs by that firm for processing each kind of case.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of cases of payment for vibration white finger (VWF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) settled by Watson Burton solicitors and the costs paid to Watson Burton are set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of claims settled by payment  Solicitors costs paid on claims settled by payment (£ million) 
			 VWF 3,294 2.8 
			 COPD 11,137 24.6

Watson Burton Solicitors

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average size of settlement is for  (a) a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease case and  (b) such a case processed by Watson Burton solicitors.

Malcolm Wicks: The average award for all claims settled by payment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, compared to those processed by Watson Burton solicitors, is shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Average settlement value for COPD claims settled by payment (£) 
			 Overall 4,978 
			 Watson Burton 4,123

Working Time Directive

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made on negotiations on the future of the Working Time Directive; what options are being considered; what the Government's aims are in the negotiations; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The UK's negotiating priorities remain a solution for problems caused by the ECJ rulings on SiMAP and Jaeger and the retention of the individual right to opt out. We are working hard with the Finnish presidency and other member states to achieve these aims, and will be keeping Parliament through both scrutiny committees closely informed of progress.

DEFENCE

Veterans' Badges

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans' badges have been issued.

Derek Twigg: There have been in excess of 321,000 veterans badges issued up to and including 20 October 2006.

Arctic Emblem

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications have been received for the Arctic Emblem.

Derek Twigg: The Arctic Emblem was officially launched at a ceremony on HMS Belfast in London on 11 October, during which I presented a small number of emblems to eligible veterans and next of kin. Similar ceremonies were held around the country.
	Some 5,000 emblems were despatched to eligible applicants by post on 16 October and a further 900 applications received in recent weeks are currently being processed by the Department.

Hercules

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the Hercules fleet have had explosion suppressant foam installed; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The programme to fit explosive suppressant foam to Hercules aircraft continues as planned and two aircraft have been fitted so far.
	We take the protection of our armed forces very seriously. We have already spent over £0.5 billion on a range of force protection measures to support operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We continue to do all that we can to ensure troops get the equipment they require.

Operational Tour Bonus

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the implementation of the operational tour bonus.

Des Browne: Further to my statement to the House on 10 October, I can confirm that all service personnel have now been given full details of the scheme. Our aim is to pay the allowance as soon as possible to all those who have already returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Operational Tour Bonus

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of the new operational bonus in  (a) 2006-07 and  (b) the following three financial years.

Adam Ingram: It is estimated that the new operational bonus, to be called "Operational Allowance", will cost in the order of £60 million for 2006-07. The subsequent cost will be dependent upon the type, and duration, of future military operations.

Afghanistan

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Army has to deploy Warriors to Afghanistan.

Des Browne: There are currently no plans to deploy Warrior to Afghanistan, although we keep our force package under constant review to ensure our commanders on the ground have the tools that they need to do the job.

Afghanistan

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the security situation in Helmand province;
	(2)  what progress has been made in the preparations on the ground in Helmand province for a possible UK deployment; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: I refer the House to my recent statement on 10 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 173-76, detailing British military operations in Helmand province in support of a wider cross-Governmental programme of reconstruction.
	My most recent statement, and previous ones on 26 January 2006,  Official Report, columns 1529-33, 10 July 2006,  Official Report, columns 1131-35, and my written ministerial statement of 24 July 2006,  Official Report, columns 74-76WS, announcing the deployment of elements of the Helmand Task Force always made clear that we recognized that Helmand was a dangerous operating environment.

Afghanistan

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average number of Harrier sorties in Afghanistan was in each month of 2006.

Adam Ingram: The number of Harrier sorties in Afghanistan for each month of 2006 to September is as follows:
	
		
			   Number of sorties 
			 January 104 
			 February 104 
			 March 98 
			 April 142 
			 May 120 
			 June 125 
			 July 131 
			 August 134 
			 September 248

Afghanistan

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions are in place for compensation for Afghan civilians  (a) killed,  (b) wounded and  (c) otherwise harmed during International Security Assistance Force operations.

Adam Ingram: When compensation claims are received they are considered on the basis of whether or not the UK Ministry of Defence has a legal liability to pay compensation. Where there is a proven legal liability, compensation is paid.
	From the outset of operations in Afghanistan we have recognised our duty to provide compensation to Afghan civilians where this is required by the law. The procedures for handling compensation claims are straightforward and have been tested in other operational theatres. An area claims officer based in Helmand Province handles routine claims, but to ensure a consistent approach those cases involving death or serious injury of Afghan civilians are handled by claims staff in UK.

Afghanistan

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expected length of duty is for servicemen and women serving in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The standard tour length is six months for Army and Royal Navy personnel, and four months for Royal Air Force personnel within all theatres, including Afghanistan.

Iraq

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of future requirements for troop numbers in Iraq.

Des Browne: The Department conducts regular reviews of UK force levels in Iraq, the results of which inform the six monthly roulement process. The next roulement of UK troops in Iraq begins next month and upon completion, will maintain around 7,100 UK forces in Iraq. We continue to keep our force levels in Iraq under review and will confirm force levels for the next routine roulement around the turn of the year.

Iraq

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the Chief of the General Staff about the security situation in Iraq.

Des Browne: I have regular discussions with each of the service chiefs on all aspects of current operations, including the security situation in Iraq.

Iraq

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK servicemen and women who have been  (a) killed and  (b) injured in Iraq since 20 March 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: holding answer 12 June 2006
	It is with very deep regret that I can confirm that, as of 27 October, a total of 120 British Forces personnel have died, or are missing presumed dead, while serving on Operation Telic since the start of the campaign in March 2003.
	The Ministry of Defence publishes data on battle and non-battle casualties that have resulted from our operations in Iraq, dating from March 2003. The best centrally available casualty statistics can be found on the Ministry of Defence website http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets.

Iraq

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many troops were injured in action in Iraq in each month since the deployment in 2003;
	(2)  how many serious injuries were sustained by British troops serving in Iraq in  (a) 2003,  (b) 2004,  (c) 2005 and  (d) 2006.

Des Browne: The Ministry of Defence publishes data on battle and non-battle casualties that have resulted from our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, dating from March 2003 for Iraq and January 2006 for Afghanistan. The best centrally available casualty statistics can be found on the Ministry of Defence website http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets.
	Between March 2003 and 31 December 2005 there were 230 UK military and civilian personnel treated at UK medical facilities in Iraq for wounds received as a result of hostile action. These figures are derived from the best records currently held centrally but do not include those treated in the medical facilities of Coalition partners.
	Separate records, from notification of casualty reporting (NOTICAS), for the same period in Iraq, show that some 40 UK military and civilian personnel have been categorised as Very Seriously Injured (VSI) from all causes, and that some 70 personnel have been categorised as Seriously Injured (SI) from all causes including as a result of hostile action.
	Since the beginning of the year, we have sought to collect better information on those suffering wounds as a result of combat. Between 1 January and 30 September 2006, 47 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to the Shaibah Role 3 Medical Facility in Iraq categorised as Wounded in Action, including as a result of hostile action.

Iraq

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost has been to the UK of all military operations in Iraq since April 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The cost of operations are calculated on a net additional basis and audited figures are published each year in the MOD's annual report and accounts. The annual audited figure for the costs of operations in Iraq for the year 2005-06 was £958 million.

Hospital Facilities

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made on establishing a military managed ward at Selly Oak hospital.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh).

Hospital Facilities

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the hospital treatment of injured service personnel.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Cleethorpes (Shona McIsaac).

Aircraft

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what impact the reduced frequency of equalised maintenance packages has had on  (a) costs,  (b) aircraft availability and  (c) safety assessments; and what savings are targeted for 2006-07 and future years.

Adam Ingram: Equalised maintenance packages for the RAF's Harrier GR7/9 fleet were introduced in 2005. This has improved aircraft availability by an average of two aircraft per day. The airworthiness of the aircraft is also considered to have benefited from equalised maintenance packages but this aspect has yet to be quantified. The total technical support and man hour requirement of the new scheduled maintenance cycle is similar to the previous arrangements, albeit delivered more effectively; accordingly, there have been no measurable cost savings to date.
	Equalised maintenance packages are currently being introduced for the RAF's Nimrod MR2/R1 fleet. At this stage it is too early to measure accurately the full benefits of this change, but it is forecast that the new scheduled maintenance regime will deliver significant improvements in aircraft availability, and financial savings of approximately £2 million per annum from financial year 2008-09. Before implementing this change a full safety assessment was carried out on the Nimrod MR2/R1 fleet and further safety assessments will be undertaken as the transition to equalised maintenance moves forward.

Animal Welfare

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Department has  (a) undertaken and  (b) commissioned hyperbaric chamber tests on live goats in the last five years.

Adam Ingram: QinetiQ performs research under contract to the Ministry of Defence to support the Department's duty of care to submariners during both normal operations and in an emergency. Over the last five years, this research has included experiments that involve goats in hyperbaric chambers. The Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC) reviewed this work in 2003 and confirmed the need for continued investigation into sequential improvements in escape and rescue procedures and the necessity of experiments on large animals.

Army Numbers

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the troop numbers required to allow the army to operate effectively; and whether that requirement is being met.

Adam Ingram: Under future army structures, the established requirement for the British Army is 101,800 (as at 1 April 2008). Current manning levels are 98 per cent. of this requirement (as at 1 September 2006). Overall, the Army is able to meet current operational commitments.

Battle Deployment

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether units of the armed services are allocated to more than one order of battle deployment.

Adam Ingram: Units of the armed forces are routinely allocated to more than one order of battle deployment. For example, 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) supports operations in the UK, Afghanistan and Iraq simultaneously with Explosive Ordnance Detachments which are grouped according to the specific theatre requirement.

Ceremonial Duties/Parades

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what royal and ceremonial duties and parades have been cancelled in each of the last five years; and for what reasons each was cancelled.

Derek Twigg: There have been no occasions during the last five years when either public duties or state ceremonial duties have been cancelled.

Cluster Munitions

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment the Government has made of the humanitarian impact of the use of cluster munitions by UK forces in recent conflicts to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.

Adam Ingram: In all recent conflicts, the UK has complied with International Humanitarian Law in the use of all munitions, including cluster munitions. The decision to use all munitions, including cluster munitions against a target is based on a comprehensive assessment that takes into account the UK's legal obligations under International Humanitarian Law, the nature of the target, and the weapons available to attack it.

Cluster Munitions

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the failure rate is for RBL 755 cluster bombs used by British forces.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 March 2006,  Official Report, column 2515W, to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew).

Colombia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2006,  Official Report, column 593W, on Colombia, what percentage of the cost of the military assistance given to Colombia for the disposal of explosive devices is accounted for by de-mining training.

Adam Ingram: De-mining training accounted for 42 per cent. of the expenditure earmarked for military assistance given to Colombia for the disposal of explosive devices in financial year 2005-06. Some 47 per cent. of the allocation for financial year 2006-07 is earmarked for the same purpose.

Departmental Budget

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's budget is for 2005-06; and how much of that budget has been allocated to current overseas deployments.

Adam Ingram: The defence budget for 2005-6 was £30,888 million, as set in Spending Review 2004. The net additional costs of operations are funded from the Treasury special reserve and the conflict prevention pool, not the Defence Budget.
	Further information on Defence expenditure in 2005-06, including on operations, is contained within the Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2005-2006 (HC1394) which is available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Project Approvals

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which  (a) category A,  (b) category B and  (c) category C projects of his Department have received (i) Initial Gate and (ii) Main Gate approval since 1 November 2004; and when approval was received in each case.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Category A Initial Gate Projects 
			  Date of approval  Name of project  Date of approval  Name of project 
			 10 December 2004 Munitions Acquisition Supply Solution 24 November 2005 Chinook T55 Capability Sustainment and Future Support Programme 
			 28 April 2005 UK Intelligence Web and SCOPE connection 27 June 2006 Future Transport Aircraft (A400M) Support 
			 18 May 2005 Nimrod Future Support 19 July 2006 Defence Logistics Organisation/Defence Procurement Agency Collocation 
			 27 July 2005 Maritime Air Surveillance and Control 27 July 2006 Programme to Rationalise and Integrate Defence Intelligence Service Estate (PRIDE) 
			 l August 2005 Future Rotorcraft Capability   
		
	
	
		
			  Category A Main Gate Projects 
			  Date of approval  Name of project  Date of approval  Name of project 
			 13 December 2004 Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) DII(F) (Approval for Initial Work) 8 September 2005 Defence Estates Regional Prime Contracting—Central 
			 l February 2005 Defence Estates Regional Prime Contracting—South East 8 November 2005 Defence Housing Executive—Prime Contract 
			 9 February 2005 Sea King Integrated Operational Support 9 November 2005 Defence Estates Regional Prime Contracting—East 
			 24 February 2005 Offshore Patrol Vessel (Helicopter) 21 December 2005 Future Carrier (Demonstration Phase) 
			 25 February 2005 Typhoon (Tranche 2) 7 February 2006 Chinook Future Support 
			 4 March 2005 Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) (Contractor Downselect and Main Investment) 10 February 2006 Future Provision of Marine Services 
			 15 March 2005 Project PICASSO (Increment 1) 24 February 2006 Merlin Future Support Programme (IMOS—Integrated Merlin Operational Support) 
			 19 April 2005 Human Resources Service Delivery Organisation 9 March 2006 Combined Aerial Target Service 
			 20 April 2005 Tornado Future Support Programme (ATTAC) 28 March 2006 Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme 
			 14 July 2005 Future Military Aviation Radar Service 4 April 2006 Defence Medical Information Capability Programme 
			 20 July 2005 Future Defence Supply Chain Initiative 04 April 2006 Project FALCON 
			 21 July 2005 Northwood PFI 31 May 2006 Hercules Future Support Project 
			 22 July 2005 Watchkeeper 08 June 2006 Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopter/Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft 
			 31 July 2006 MOD Estates London 20 July 2006 C-17 Strategic Airlift (Lease Buy Out) 
			 2 August 2006 Advanced Jet Trainer   
		
	
	
		
			  Category B Initial Gate Projects 
			  Date of approval  Name of project  Date of approval  Name of project 
			 3 November 2004 Defence Travel Modernisation (DTM) 5 October 2005 Tornado GR4/4a Collision Warning System 
			 7 December 2004 Project Eagle 17 November 2005 Gnome Engine Future Support Project 
			 24 January 2005 Project Hyperion—Land and Adjutant General collocation and estate rationalisation 17 November 2005 RTM 322 Engine Future Support Project 
			 5 August 2005 Material Flow—Management of Joint Deployed Inventory (MJDI) 4 May 2006 Tornado Capability Upgrade Strategy 
			 9 August 2005 Rapier Support 28 July 2006 Project DMETA/MMA (Defence Medical Training Agency—Midlands Medical Accommodation) 
			 9 August 2005 High Velocity Missile Support 19 September 2006 Personal Equipment and Common Operational Clothing 
		
	
	
		
			  Category B Main Gate Projects 
			  Date of approval  Name of project  Date of approval  Name of project 
			 22 November 2004 Improved 105mm Light Gun Ammunition 18 July 2005 Joint UAV Experimental Programme 
			 4 January 2005 Secondary Healthcare Germany 21 December 2005 Tornado Future Support Programme RB199 (ROCET) 
			 5 January 2005 Defence Academy Shrivenham Campus Integrator 17 July 2006 Project PICASSO (Increment 2) 
			 26 January 2005 Defence Resource Management Programme Increment 4 25 January 2006 Anti-Structures Munition 
			 3 May 2005 Defence Academy Shrivenham Academic Provider 25 July 2006 C-17 Strategic Airlift (5th Aircraft) 
			 l June 2005 Oracle Enterprise Agreement 3 August 2006 J1/J4 Interim Op Support—Interim fit (raised to Cat B for Main Gate due to cost) 
			 2 June 2005 AS90 Equipment Support Project   
		
	
	
		
			  Category C Initial Gate Projects( 1) 
			  Date of approval  Name of project  Date of approval  Name of project 
			 14 January 2005 UK Integrated Broadcast Service 10 May 2006 UK Air Surveillance Command and Control System 
			 19 May 2005 DNA(2)—T23 Frigate Command System Update 5 June 2006 Computer Network Defence (CND) 
			 24 May 2005 Digital Diagnosis Repair 8 August 2006 Joint Command and Control Support Programme (JC2SP) Application Migration Project 
			 1l July 2005 Surveillance Systems and Range Finding 17 August 2006 Project Listener 
			 16 November 2005 J1/J4 Interim Op Support—Interim fit 11 September 2006 Small Arms Range Targetry Systems 
		
	
	
		
			  Category C Main Gate Projects( 2) 
			  Date of approval  Name of project  Date of approval  Name of project 
			 17 December 2004 Army Training and Recruitment Agency -Digitised Classroom Project 23 June 2006 Command, Control and Information System for Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps 
			 22 December 2004 Armed Forces Compensation Scheme 26 July 2006 DNA(2)—T23 Frigate Command System Update 
			 21 February 2005 Defence Fixed Telecommunications System (Cyprus) 25 August 2006 Dismounted Counter Mine Capability 
			 13 May 2005 Temporary Deployed Accommodation l September 2006 Project CUTLASS 
			 26 August 2005 Maritime Composite Training System 11 September 2006 JC2SP Interoperability Project 
			 7 September 2005 Defensive Anti-Surface Warfare   
			 (1) One project has been excluded from the list as it relates to Special Forces. (2) Three projects have been excluded from the list as they relate to Special Forces.

EUFOR

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the submarines which are flagged under EUFOR.

Adam Ingram: There are currently no UK submarines flagged under EUFOR.

Far East War Prisoners

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been  (a) paid,  (b) refused and  (c) are awaiting a decision on payments under the Far East Prisoners of War Ex-Gratia Payments Scheme (i) in total, (ii) under the blood link criterion and (iii) under the 20 year rule.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 23 October 2006
	The position as at 20 October 2006 is as follows:
	
		
			   Claims paid  Rejected  Awaiting decision 
			 
			 Total claims (includes both Prisoners of War and Civilian Internees) 25,293 6,880 369 
			 Civilian claims considered under the 20-year UK Residence criterion(1) 86 0 87 
			 Civilian claims considered under the Birthlink criterion(1) 1,186 (2, 3)1,194 3 
			 (1) Military claims are considered under separate criteria with respect to definition of the required close link to the United Kingdom. (2) Rejections under the Birthlink criterion include cases where the claimant:  was not British; or  failed to meet either the initial criterion based on eligibility under the1950s scheme that made payments from liquidated Japanese assets or the Birthlink criterion introduced in March 2001; or  did not provide evidence to show that he or she was interned in a recognised camp. (3) Since March 2006, a number of these rejections have been eligible for reconsideration under the 20-year UK residence criterion and a number have claimed and received an award; the precise number affected in this way is not known since we do not routinely collect information on the Birthlink criterion; however, we would expect most of the 86 claims accepted under the 20-year UK residence criterion to have been rejected previously and further consideration of claims under this criterion are expected to reduce the number of rejections further.

Fischer-Tropsch Process

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the merits of powering military platforms with green fuels made by the Fischer-Tropsch process.

Adam Ingram: The MOD is closely engaged with major oil companies, original equipment manufacturers and the scientific and technical community to further the use of non-fossil fuels.
	As part of this ongoing work, the MOD is currently assessing the utility, compatibility and availability of fuels produced by the Fischer-Tropsch process for a range of military platforms. The Department led the way in the international aviation fuels community on the introduction of synthetic fuels, from specific sources, into the technical specification for aviation fuels.

Flight Training

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the monthly average for  (a) flight training and  (b) flight trainer hours was for Red Arrows pilots in the last year for which figures are available.

Adam Ingram: In the period October 2005 to September 2006 the average monthly flight training hours and simulator training hours for the Red Arrows were 132 and three respectively.

Flight Training

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flight training hours on average were flown per month during the last 12 months by pilots of  (a) Tornado F-3,  (b) GR variants,  (c) Jaguar and  (d) Harrier.

Adam Ingram: In the period September 2005 to September 2006 training flying hours flown by front line fast jet pilots average as follows:
	
		
			   Hours/pilot/month 
			 Tornado F-3 16.8 
			 Tornado GR4 16.1 
			 Jaguar 17.5 
			 Harrier 16.1

General Sir Richard Dannatt

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the transcript of the interview with General Sir Richard Dannatt reported in the  Daily Mail on 13 October.

Des Browne: Yes.

Helicopters

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of the number of helicopters available in Iraq; what steps he is taking to ensure sufficient helicopters have been procured; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: There are sufficient numbers of helicopters in Iraq to carry out the allocated tasks. The precise number of helicopters cannot be disclosed as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the security of our armed forces. We keep under constant review how best to sustain and refresh the helicopter capability provided to operations.

Helicopters

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with Boeing on the return to flight of the eight Mk3 Chinook helicopters which have been grounded since their delivery to the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: There has been no recent discussion between the Secretary of State for Defence and Boeing on the return to flight of the eight Mk3 Chinook helicopters, although there has been recent senior level engagement with Boeing, including by the Minister for Defence Procurement.

Joint Strike Fighter Programme

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress has been made in discussion with the United States on the joint strike fighter programme.

Adam Ingram: We are continuing to work hard together to deliver President Bush and the Prime Minister's joint intent for UK operational sovereignty for the Joint Strike Fighter.

Military Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence of what type and how many vehicles the Vector and Cougar vehicles will replace.

Adam Ingram: Vector and Mastiff (the United Kingdom armed forces name for Cougar) will complement our existing fleet of vehicles. This will give commanders the flexibility to select the appropriate vehicle to achieve their missions and tasks.

Missiles

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the value of the Harpoon missile as a weapon.

Adam Ingram: Harpoon is the Royal Navy's only long-range anti-surface warfare missile. It is a potent element of the Royal Navy's anti-surface capability.

Missiles

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances surface ships would engage hostile surface forces with the Harpoon missile; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Harpoon missile is designed for long-range anti-ship warfare and would be employed against hostile units (normally frigate size and above) posing a threat against Royal Navy or coalition units, whether as an individual unit or as part of a larger task group.

Missiles

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to equip the Type-45 Destroyer with the Harpoon missile.

Adam Ingram: There is no current requirement for the Type 45 Destroyer to operate Harpoon missiles, and so there are no plans at present to equip them with these weapons.

Missiles

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the range is of the Harpoon missile.

Adam Ingram: Harpoon is a sophisticated anti-ship missile which uses a combination of inertia guidance and active radar homing attack targets out to a range of 130 km.

Missiles

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which ships carry the Harpoon surface-to-surface missile.

Adam Ingram: All Type 22 and Type 23 frigates are fitted with the Harpoon surface-to-surface missile system. They are:
	 Type 22 frigates
	HMS Cornwall
	HMS Cumberland
	HMS Campbeltown
	HMS Chatham
	 Type 23 Frigates
	HMS Argyll
	HMS Iron Duke
	HMS Kent
	HMS Lancaster
	HMS Monmouth
	HMS Montrose
	HMS Northumberland
	HMS Portland
	HMS Richmond
	HMS Somerset
	HMS St Albans
	HMS Sutherland
	HMS Westminster

Munitions

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the supply of ammunition to combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: Sufficient stocks of ammunition are available in Iraq and Afghanistan to support all current and contingency operations. The Defence Logistics Organisation continues to ensure that sufficient ammunition supplies are delivered on time to our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
	In Afghanistan during a specific attack our operation units in remote locations have occasionally exhausted supplies of a particular ammunition type. In such instances, the ground forces are re-supplied by helicopters. At no time, however, have troops on the ground run out of all ammunition types available to them.

Naval Dockyards

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the HM dockyards Portsmouth and Devonport.

Adam Ingram: A review of infrastructure at each of the three naval bases is currently being undertaken. The review will recommend ways in which we might optimise the use of the naval bases individually and collectively provide support to the front line. The review will consider a broad range of options so it is too early to determine its impact on the future of the individual bases.

Nimrod MR2

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additional checks have been made of the Nimrod MR2 fleet since the loss in Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: Following the loss of Nimrod MR2 XV230 in September this year, additional maintenance and safety checks have been undertaken on all of the RAF's Nimrod MR2 aircraft. The board of inquiry is under way and it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of the crash. Given that the crew had, however, received indications of a fire it was deemed prudent to conduct a fleet-wide examination of areas where flammable materials (such as fuel or hydraulic fluid) may be placed in relative proximity to potential sources of ignition should a leak occur. These examinations included visual inspections of the inboard wing and bomb bay areas, and pressurised functional and leak checks of the aircraft's fuel system.

PFI Projects

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on Private Finance Initiative projects postponed pending further consideration or stopped in the last 12 months.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has not postponed pending further consideration or stopped any PFI projects (as defined by the HM Treasury document 'Meeting the Investment Challenge' of July 2003) in the past 12 months.

Sponsored Students

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many students were subsidised to attend university with the aim of recruitment to the armed forces in each of the last five years, broken down by service; what the cost was; and how these data are recorded.

Derek Twigg: The number of university bursaries awarded, and their associated costs, in each of the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Sponsorship  Number awarded  Total cost (£000) 
			  Naval service
			 2002-03 Bursary 58 174 
			  Cadetship 8 9 
			 2003-04 Bursary 58 631 
			  Cadetship 7 28 
			 2004-05 Bursary 47 548 
			  Cadetship 2 19 
			 2005-06 Bursary 36 465 
			  Cadetship 2 12 
			 2006-07(i) Bursary 48 424 
			  Cadetship 2 (1)— 
			 
			  Army
			 2002-03 Bursary 230 946 
			  Cadetship 53 1,841 
			 2003-04 Bursary 224 999 
			  Cadetship 56 2,084 
			 2004-05 Bursary 228 1,070 
			  Cadetship 50 2,009 
			 2005-06 Bursary 178 907 
			  Cadetship 57 2,337 
			 2006-07(i) Bursary 124 560 
			  Cadetship 29 1,352 
			 
			  RAF
			 2002-03 Bursary 289 604 
			  Cadetship 51 71 
			 2003-04 Bursary 286 653 
			  Cadetship 55 51 
			 2004-05 Bursary 218 566 
			  Cadetship 71 50 
			 2005-06 Bursary 210 556 
			  Cadetship 59 52 
			 2006-07(2) Bursary 113 331 
			  Cadetship 36 8 
			 (1 )Not yet known.  (2 )Figures for financial year 2006-07 show the position as at 30 September 2006. 
		
	
	The officer entry section of the Admiralty Interview Board maintains records of all recipients of RN Bursaries who are also supported while at university either by the university training officer or by the Defence technical undergraduate scheme.
	The Army's direct entry bursary is worth £1,000 per year at university plus a £3,000 lump sum at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
	All RAF data on bursaries is captured on a database at RAF Cranwell.

Theatre-wide Missile Defence

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the need for theatre-wide missile defence in out-of-NATO area land and sea operations.

Des Browne: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 7 June 2006,  Official Report, column 627W.

Trident Replacement

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the white paper on options for the replacement of Trident.

Des Browne: It remains our intention that decisions on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent will be taken later this year, following which we will publish a White Paper.

Typhoon

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to install a gun on the Typhoon; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Eurofighter Typhoon is already fitted with a cannon. There is at present no requirement for it to be operational but the Department has the option that, should operational circumstances change, it can be brought into service.

Vessels

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department raised from the sale of former naval vessels  (a) Sandown,  (b) Inverness and  (c) Bridport to the Government of Estonia.

Adam Ingram: The sale price for the three Sandown class ships to Estonia was £32 million (the gross return to MOD). The net return to MOD will, however, be adjusted by costs for regeneration of the vessels and training of crew prior to delivery. Regeneration is being carried out under incentivised arrangements and thus the final costs will not be known until completion of the work.

Warships

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the options under consideration for basing policy for HM ships.

Adam Ingram: Work is in progress to review the infrastructure required at each the three HM naval bases to support the Royal Navy as part of the Naval Base Review. Until this work has been completed, options for basing policy for HM ships cannot be determined.

Weaponry (Collateral Damage Predictions)

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how his Department makes collateral damage predictions in deployment of weaponry.

Adam Ingram: A collateral damage estimation (CDE) is conducted for all pre-planned targets by qualified targeteers who are trained to carry out this process. For targets where there is an obvious risk of collateral damage, a computer-based collateral damage model (CDM) is used, as a guide to military judgment, to determine the estimated effects of a range of weapons against differing structures in a variety of locations (rural, semi-rural, urban, etc). When it is not operationally feasible to conduct a full and formal CDE, Commanders must still apply the basic principles of the Laws of Armed Conflict (Distinction, Discrimination, Proportionality and Necessity).

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Civil Service Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what the annual savings would be from increasing civil service employee contribution rate to the civil service pension scheme by 1 per cent.; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent estimate she has made of the annual saving from increasing the employee contribution rates to the civil service pension scheme by 1 per cent.; and if she will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: Members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme made normal contributions of £280 million in the year to 31 March 2006 plus additional contributions of £32 million for the purchase of added years.
	If contribution rates had been one percentage point higher than they are, the contributions received by the Civil Superannuation Vote would have been some £141 million higher than was the case. However, the overall impact on public finances would have been less than this as members do not pay income tax on pension contributions.

Civil Service Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what the  (a) present and  (b) future retirement age arrangements are for each public sector pension scheme for which her Department has responsibility; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what the current  (a) accrual rate and  (b) normal retirement age is for each public sector pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; and if she will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The Principal Civil Service Pension scheme is in two sections. Section 1—the "2002 section"—is referred to as the premium scheme and has a pension accrual rate of 1/60th. Section 2—the "1972 section" is referred to as the classic scheme. Classic has a pension accrual rate of 1/80th plus a lump sum accrual rate of 3/80th.
	The current normal pension age for members of both schemes is 60. However, some prison officers who are members of classic have a normal pension age of 55.
	In line with the principles agreed with the trade unions at the Public Services Forum in 2005, a new pension scheme will be introduced for new entrants tothe civil service which will have a pension age of 65.

Civil Service Sports Council

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the grant from the Cabinet Office to the Civil Service Sports Council Limited has been in each of the last three years.

Patrick McFadden: In common with many other responsible large employers, the civil service acknowledges the real benefits to the health and welfare of its staff of the provision of sport and recreational activities. The Cabinet Office has made a grant to the Civil Service Sports Council of £1,332,211 for each of the last three years on behalf of the entire civil service, currently numbering in excess of 500,000 civil servants. This grant enables the provision of sports facilities at local, regional, national and departmental level. The grant has remained the same since 1994.

Civil Service Sports Council

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was given through the annual grant to the Civil Service Sports Council in each of the last five years.

Patrick McFadden: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given today to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles).

Crown Copyright

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if she will remove the text of parliamentary legislation from Crown Copyright and allow free access and reproduction.

Edward Miliband: All UK legislation can be accessed free of charge online on the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk. Legislation is subject to Crown Copyright protection but can be reproduced free of charge and without requiring any prior approval or formal licensing. Crown Copyright protects the integrity of official material and ensures that it is not misused.

Departmental Staff

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if her Department will  (a) carry out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its workforce,  (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers,  (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and  (d) extend to over-fifties the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if she will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The Cabinet Office is committed to a diverse and professional work force that is provided with opportunities for personal growth and for acquiring the skills and competences essential for timely and effective delivery of the Department's business. Its policies actively promote equality of opportunity for all employees irrespective of age.
	In implementing the Employment Equality (Age) Legislation 2006 Cabinet Office carried out an age audit and, with the support of the union, introduced an age management policy that takes account of the legislation and pension scheme provisions. Cabinet Office policies on training, paid time off and working flexibly are available to all employees irrespective of age.

Muslim Dress

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate she has made of the number of women employed in the civil service who wear a veil for religious reasons.

Patrick McFadden: There is no central record of how many civil servants wear veils, or any other type of dress.

Public Appointments

Charles Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which public appointments have been made of former Ministers who served in the Government since 1997.

Hilary Armstrong: This information is not held centrally. Individual Departments are responsible for making appointments to their own public bodies. Information on the public appointments held by former Ministers who served in the Government since May 1997 for Cabinet Office bodies is shown in the following table. The three main political parties may nominate one person to serve on two of the bodies listed: the Committee on Standards in Public Life and the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.
	
		
			  Body  Former Minister  Dates 
			 Committee on Standards in Public Life right hon. Chris Smith MP 15 October 2001 to 31 October 2004 
			  right hon. Baroness Jay of Paddington 1 November 2004 to 30 November 2005 
			  right hon. Alun Michael JP MP 1 October 2006 to 30 September 2009 
			 Advisory Committee on Business Appointments right hon. Lord Morris of Aberavon KG QC 1 January 2002 to pending outcome of review of body 
			 Capacitybuilders Chris Pond 21 November 2005 to 1 April 2008

Service Provision (Voluntary Organisations)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of  (a) Government, including health service, and  (b) local government contracts for the provision of services by voluntary organisations have met her target that full cost recovery be achieved by April; what revised target date she has set for its achievement; and what steps she is taking to ensure that the target is met.

Edward Miliband: holding answer 20 October 2006
	The relevant target, as set out in the 2002 cross-cutting review into the role of the third sector in public service delivery is:
	"Funders should recognise that it is legitimate for providers to include the relevant element of overheads in their cost estimates for providing a given service under service agreement or contract".
	The associated recommended action was that by April 2006, all Departments and agencies should recognise that it is legitimate for organisations to include relevant elements of overheads when seeking funding or bidding for contracts. Her Majesty's Treasury's Invest to Save programme now reflects full cost recovery in its bidding rounds; the Department of Health's third sector commissioning taskforce report emphasises the importance of reflecting the full cost of services in grants and contracts, and as set out in the Local Government White Paper, the Department of Communities and Local Government is working with local authorities to ensure relevant Compact principles (including full cost recovery) are reflected in local government finance codes.
	The principle of full cost recovery and funding of legitimate overheads is reinforced in "Improving Financial Relationship with the third sector: Guidance to Funders and Purchasers" published jointly by Her Majesty's Treasury, the Cabinet Office, The Office for Government Commerce and the National Audit Office on 15 May 2006.
	We recognise there is further to go in ensuring that full cost recovery is fully implemented in practice. Further details of the Government's work in this area will be set out in the Office of the Third Sector's Public Service Delivery Action Plan later this year. In addition, the independent Commissioner for the Compact will champion implementation of the Compact principles at all levels, national, regional and local, including those relating to sound funding and procurement practice.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Age Discrimination

Harry Cohen: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if her Department will  (a) carry out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its workforce,  (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers,  (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and  (d) extend to over-fifties the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: My Department produces an annual workforce composition diversity statistics report which includes information on permanent staff by responsibility level and age.
	The Department for Constitutional Affairs Equality and Diversity Policy forbids age discrimination and prior to 1 October 2006 all our polices and procedures were reviewed to ensure they were not age discriminatory. On 1 April 2005 a corporate retirement policy was introduced with a normal retirement age of 65 for all staff along with the right to ask to continue working beyond the age of 65. These changes were discussed with the departmental trade union side.
	All employees within my Department are regularly encouraged to upgrade their skills and knowledge. Pre-retirement training is part of a standard prospectus open to all staff. Under my Department's flexible working policy, in addition to the statutory provision, all DCA employees regardless of their length of service have the right to apply for flexible working. Employees may make an application whenever their circumstances require. Any reasonable request will be considered.

Bailiffs

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what regulations govern the activities of bailiffs.

Harriet Harman: Activities of county court bailiffs employed by Her Majesty's Courts Service are governed by the terms of their contracts of employment. Private bailiffs are currently self-regulated.
	My Department published the draft Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Bill on 25 July 2006, which proposes an improved regulatory regime for all private sector bailiffs. The Government's long-term intention is to introduce full-scale regulation of the entire bailiff industry by way of an independent statutory regulatory body.
	The Bill will be introduced to Parliament as soon as time allows.

Coroners Service

Mark Durkan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many coroners' cases in Northern Ireland are open but not complete; and in how many such cases the deceased is from Foyle constituency.

Vera Baird: At 25 October 2006 there were 1,305 outstanding cases in Northern Ireland. Of these, 108 cases are awaiting an inquest. It is not possible for the coroners to reach a decision on the remainder of cases until they are in possession of the necessary information such as a post mortem report, police statement or the outcome of a pending prosecution.
	Records are not kept by parliamentary constituency. There are 126 outstanding cases, four of which have inquests listed, for the Coroners District of Londonderry.

Coroners Service

Mark Durkan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Coroners' Service in Northern Ireland has a coroner available on a 24-hour basis.

Vera Baird: A rota is maintained under which a Coroner is contactable outside office hours. A telephone answering service provides guidance for those requiring assistance outside office hours.

Criminal Justice (Youth Cases)

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many court days were allocated to youth cases in each criminal justice area in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: The information requested is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Redundancies

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many redundancies there were in her Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of such redundancies was in each year; how many temporary staff were employed in each year; and how many staff were seconded by outside organisations to posts within her Department in each year.

Harriet Harman: My Department is committed to making every effort to avoid compulsory redundancies in line with the Efficiency and Relocation Support Programme developed by the Cabinet Office. Policies in place to achieve this include reviewing the use of agency staff and consultants, a redeployment register for surplus staff, looking to make savings through natural wastage, and voluntary redundancy schemes.
	 (a) The number of employees who have taken compulsory redundancy since 1997 is set out in the following table. These figures are for the period 1 April to 31 March.
	
		
			   Early Retirement  Early Severance 
			 1997 118 251 
			 1998 24 45 
			 1999 3 0 
			 2000 2 1 
			 2001 0 0 
			 2002 0 0 
			 2003 0 0 
			 2004 3 1 
			 2005 3 1 
		
	
	 (b) Information about redundancy costs is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
	 (c) The number of temporary staff (i.e. those on short-term contracts) in each year that records are available is set out in the following table. These figures are as at 1st April for each year and appear on the Cabinet Office website:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/archive/index.asp
	
		
			   Headcount 
			 1999 502 
			 2000 290 
			 2001 450 
			 2002 480 
			 2003 470 
			 2004 500 
			 2005 497 
		
	
	 (d) The number of staff seconded to the DCA by outside organisations in each year since 1997 is set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Headcount 
			 1998 0 
			 1999 6 
			 2000 0 
			 2001 1 
			 2002 1 
			 2003 1 
			 2004 1 
			 2005 1

Departmental Vacancies

Nick Gibb: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what proportion of vacancies in her Department in the last 12 months required candidates to have at least a grade C in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics GCSE.

Harriet Harman: The majority of vacancies within the Department for Constitutional Affairs require either GCSE's (including English Language) at Grade C and above or equivalent or relevant administrative experience. We would incur disproportionate costs on providing proportionate figures on vacancies that have required a grade C in  (a) English and  (b) Maths.
	For posts within the senior civil service the requirement is professional qualifications and/or a proven track record of skills and experience.

Ineffective Trials

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many ineffective trials were recorded in  (a) magistrates courts and  (b) Crown courts in Cambridgeshire in each quarter since June 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The number of ineffective trials recorded in the magistrates courts for each quarter since June 2001 are as follows:
	
		
			   Cambridgeshire  England and Wales 
			 July-September 2001 n/a n/a 
			 October-December 2001 n/a n/a 
			 January-March 2002 n/a n/a 
			 April-June 2002 92 12,544 
			 July-September 2002 91 12,577 
			 October-December 2002 99 12,685 
			 January-March 2003 64 13,226 
			 April-June 2003 80 12,340 
			 July-September 2003 93 13,308 
			 October-December 2003 69 13,502 
			 January-March 2004 81 13,637 
			 April -June 2004 54 12,831 
			 July-September 2004 51 12,431 
			 October-December 2004 58 11,475 
			 January-March 2005 67 10,493 
			 April -June 2005 72 10,083 
			 July-September 2005 72 9,775 
			 October-December 2005 57 9,283 
			 January-March 2006 62 9,922 
			 April-June 2006 59 8,247 
		
	
	Ineffective trial data prior to June 2002 were not collected in the magistrates courts. In Cambridgeshire based on the aforementioned figures, performance since quarter ending June 2002 has improved by 35.8 per cent.
	The number of ineffective trials recorded in the Crown courts for each quarter since June 2001 are as follows:
	
		
			   Cambridgeshire  England and Wales 
			 July-September 2001 27 3,239 
			 October-December 2001 31 3,169 
			 January-March 2002 32 3,056 
			 April-June 2002 24 3,131 
			 July-September 2002 45 3,290 
			 October-December 2002 46 3,166 
			 January-March 2003 28 3,227 
			 April-June 2003 20 2,910 
			 July-September 2003 20 2,871 
			 October-December 2003 20 2,358 
			 January-March 2004 19 2,431 
			 April-June 2004 4 1,912 
			 July-September 2004 13 1,905 
			 October-December 2004 14 1,644 
			 January-March 2005 16 1,514 
			 April-June 2005 18 1,330 
			 July-September 2005 14 1,266 
			 October-December 2005 13 1,199 
			 January-March 2006 17 1,222 
			 April-June 2006 14 1,069 
		
	
	Cambridgeshire performance based on the aforementioned figures has improved since quarter ending September 2001 by 48.1 per cent.
	Reducing the ineffective trial rate is a key supporting indicator in ensuring that more offences are brought to justice and provides evidence of our drive to improve the quality of service to victims and witnesses. Nationally, the CJS has reduced the ineffective rate in the magistrates court by 34.3 per cent. and in the Crown court by 67 per cent. Over the last four years this has cut waste in the CJS by £84 million.

Information Technology

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which information technology projects are being undertaken by  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies; what the (i) start date, (ii) original planned completion date, (iii) expected completion date, (iv) originally planned costs and (v) estimated costs are of each; and if she will make a statement.

Vera Baird: In common with any large organisation, IT based change projects in my Department range in scale from the very small, involving just a small number of new PCs, to those supporting major strategic business developments for the Department. For the strategic group, there have been three change programmes covering the courts and headquarters. These areas are covered by separate contracts, details of which are as follows:
	LOCCS (Local County Court System) provides operational IT systems to Her Majesty's Courts Service (Crown and County courts).
	ARAMIS (Resource Accounting and Management Information System) provides accounting, financial, HR/payroll and management information services to the Department.
	The Libra contracts cover the provision of IT infrastructure and office automation for the magistrates courts and development and implementation of a national case management system.
	Total IT spend under these contracts over the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2001-02 73.8 
			 2002-03 110.24 
			 2003-04 149.6 
			 2004-05 121.38 
			 2005-06 158.51 
		
	
	In addition, the Transition project was launched on 26 October 2006 to manage the transfer of responsibility for the IT Services provided under the LOCCS, ARAMIS and LIBRA contracts to new suppliers. Project plans are currently being developed so I am unable to provide you with any information to your detailed questions.

International GCSE

Nick Gibb: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether her Department recognises the International GCSEs as an acceptable substitute for a GCSEs for the purposes of recruitment.

Harriet Harman: My Department recognises international GCSEs as an acceptable substitute for GCSEs for the purposes of recruitment.

Legal Aid

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1450W, on legal aid, how many prisoners at HMP Peterborough giving their permanent address as at the prison are in receipt of legal aid; what the cost of such funding is to the public purse; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: 51 prisoners giving their permanent address as HMP Peterborough received civil legal aid in the 12 months to 30 September 2006.
	The cost of legal aid for the 35 prisoners advised by solicitors was £29,187.80. The cost of legal aid for the 16 prisoners who were advised by a not-for-profit agency cannot be given as the work was contained within a larger contract with these agencies and not accounted for separately.

Magistrates

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans she has to change the account taken of age in the appointment of magistrates; and what assessment she has made of the implications of the Human Rights Act 2000 for this system.

Harriet Harman: There are no plans to change the account taken of age in the appointment of magistrates. The minimum age for a candidate to be considered for appointment by the Lord Chancellor is 18 years and magistrates are required to retire from the bench at 70 years of age by virtue of Section 13 of The Courts Act 2003. The suitability of all eligible candidates is assessed according to the six key qualities as set out in the Lord Chancellor's directions. The Human Rights Act 2000 has no direct bearing on this system.

Magistrates Courts

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which magistrates courts have  (a) closed and  (b) opened in each of the last 20 years.

Harriet Harman: Up until 1 April 2005 magistrates courts were the responsibility of locally managed Magistrates Courts Committees who were statutorily independent. They were not required by statute to inform the Department of any magistrates courts closures that were not subject to an appeal under Section 56 (3) of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997 (now repealed).
	The following tables detail the magistrates court closures and openings that the Department has been notified of since 1995.
	
		
			  (a) Magistrates courts closed since 1995 
			   Courthouse closed 
			 1995 Nottingham (Guildhall) 
			  Nottingham (Sand Field House) 
			  Bala 
			  Hunstanton 
			  Pembroke 
			  Tywn 
			  Whitminster 
			   
			 1996 Bromley (South Street) 
			  Mansfield (Commercial Street) 
			  Hornsea 
			  Howden 
			  Market Weighton 
			  Old Street 
			  Halstead 
			  Biddulph 
			  Kidsgrove 
			  Cheadle 
			  Tonbridge 
			  Amlwch 
			  Colwyn Bay 
			  Bedale 
			  Easingwold 
			  East Dereham 
			  Bleanau Festiniog 
			  Ingleton 
			  Leyburn 
			  Llangollen 
			  Thirsk 
			   
			 1997 Ellesmere Port 
			  Hampstead 
			  Marylebone 
			  Otley 
			  Seaham 
			  Bromsgrove 
			  Ledbury 
			  Hebburn 
			  South Shields (Kepple Street) 
			  Chippenham (Market Place) 
			  Ashton Under Lyne (Manchester Road) 
			  Duckinsfield 
			  Thorne 
			  Pontardawe 
			  Braintree 
			  Stokeley 
			  Clacton on Sea 
			  Bargoed 
			  Monmouth 
			  Pontlttyn 
			  Pontypool 
			   
			 1998 Malton 
			  Marlborough Street 
			  Bishop's Stortford 
			  Hatfield 
			  Hitchin 
			  Market Rasen 
			  Chertsey 
			  Farnham 
			  Oxted 
			  Lutterworth 
			  Ripon 
			  Barnard Castle 
			  Clerkenwell 
			  Sheerness 
			  West Malling 
			  Lytham 
			  Diss 
			  Corwen 
			  Felixstowe 
			  Haverhill 
			  Saxmundam 
			  Stowmarket 
			  Newmarket 
			  March 
			  Saffron Walden 
			   
			 1999 Christchurch 
			  Abingdon 
			  Henley on Thames 
			  Windsor 
			  Morley 
			  Pudsey 
			  Stow on the Wold 
			   
			 2000 Ampthill 
			  Biggleswade 
			  Dunstable 
			  Leighton Buzzard 
			  Lichfield 
			  Keighley 
			  Keswick 
			  Windermere 
			  Wigton 
			  Appleby 
			  Gravesend 
			  Wootton Bassett 
			  Abergele 
			   
			 2001 Alfreton 
			  Ashbourne 
			  Bakewell 
			  Matlock 
			  Leigh 
			  Middleton 
			  Leek 
			  Worcester 
			  Warrington Patten Hall 
			  Macclesfield Park Green 
			  Bideford 
			  Exmouth 
			  Kingsbridge 
			  South Molton 
			  Teignmouth 
			  Tavistock 
			  Axminster 
			  Tiverton 
			  Newquay 
			  Southampton (Commercial Road) 
			  Womborne 
			  Gillingham 
			  Bridlington 
			  Brough 
			  Driffield 
			  Hull (Guildhall) 
			  Hull (Lowgate) 
			  Pocklington 
			  Withensea 
			  Arundel 
			   
			 2002 Bridgenorth 
			  Leominster 
			  Fakenham 
			  Tunbridge Wells 
			  Beaconsfield 
			  Buckingham 
			  Evesham 
			   
			 2003 Thame 
			  Droitwitch 
			  Machynlleth 
			  Chester Le Street 
			  Rugeley 
			  Lampeter 
			  Tenby 
			  Camberley 
			  Trowbridge 
			  Whitchurch 
			  Long Sutton 
			  Caistor 
			  Horncastle 
			   
			 2004 Richmond, Yorks 
			  Stourbridge 
			   
			 2006 Wetherby 
			  Bow Street 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Magistrates courts opened since 1995 
			   Courthouse opened 
			 1995 Newham 
			  Shrewsbury 
			  Rhondda 
			  Barrow 
			  Bexley 
			  Milton Keynes 
			  Bromley 
			   
			 1996 Mansfield 
			  Lyndhurst 
			  Tottenham 
			  Grantham 
			  Swindon 
			  Greenwich 
			  Nottingham 
			  Oswestry 
			  St. Helens 
			   
			 1997 York 
			  St. Albans 
			  Stevenage 
			  Skegness 
			   
			 1998 West London 
			  Ashton Under Lyne 
			  Birmingham (youth court) 
			  South Shields 
			  Chippenham 
			   
			 2001 Hereford 
			  Kidderminster 
			  Beverley 
			  Bridlington 
			   
			 2002 Worcester 
			  Southampton 
			  Hull 
			   
			 2003 Haverfordwest 
			  Redditch 
			   
			 2004 Manchester 
			  Derby 
			  Chesterfield 
			  Nuneaton 
			   
			 2005 Worle

Non-able-bodied Judges

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many non-able-bodied judges have been appointed in England and Wales since 1997.

Harriet Harman: The current judicial database indicates that since 1 January 1997, 2.4 per cent. of new appointees to the judiciary have declared they have a disability. This figure may not fully represent the number of disabled judges appointed since 1997 as it is for the individual to decide whether or not to make a declaration of disability.
	When the first judicial database came into existence in 1999 all available data on Judicial Office Holders was inputted onto the system. However information on judges appointed in 1997 but who subsequently left office before the creation of the database was excluded.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what the  (a) present and  (b) future retirement age arrangements are for each public sector pension scheme for which her Department has responsibility; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what the current  (a) accrual rate and  (b) normal retirement age is for each public sector pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The current accrual rates for the judicial pension schemes are set out in the Judicial Pensions Act 1981 and the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993.
	A judge is normally required to retire at the age of 70, subject to the transitional provisions in the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what savings estimate she has made of the effect on costs of the reforms to public sector pensions agreed with trades unions in 2005 in each year between 2006-07 and 2050-51; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what the current estimate is of the unfunded liability, in present value terms, of each public sector pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; and on what assumptions for  (a) discount rate and  (b) longevity the estimate is based;
	(3)  what recent estimate she has made of the  (a) rate and  (b) annual cost of employer contributions in each public sector pension scheme for which her Department has responsibility; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer of 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1653W.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what the current rate of ill-health retirement is for each public sector pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; and if she will make a statement;.
	(2)  what the arrangements are for the payment of pensions to people who retire early through ill-health for each pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; what the incidence of ill-health retirement was as a percentage of all retirement for such schemes for each year since 1988-89; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The judicial pension schemes make provision for the immediate payment of accrued pension benefits to judges who are required to retire on grounds of ill health. Under the 1993 Judicial Pension Scheme there is an enhancement of service in the event of ill-health retirement prior to the age of 65. According to the available information, about 9.7 per cent. of judicial retirements in the period between 1992-93 and 2005-06 have been on health grounds. In the first six months of 2006-07 the corresponding figure has been 8.8 per cent.

PFI Projects

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on Private Finance Initiative projects postponed pending further consideration or stopped in the last 12 months.

Harriet Harman: Court building projects typically span more than one spending round. There are 12 PFI schemes whose funding over the next spending round will not be determined until the settlement is reached and consequently are positioned awaiting financial confirmation. £1.4 million has been spent on development and proprietary work for these projects in the last 12 months.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 1033-34W, on anti-social behaviour, if he will take steps to record incidents of graffiti separately from incidents of criminal damage.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 24 October 2006
	British Crime Survey (BCS) respondents who have been victims of criminal damage are asked about the nature of such damage. However, it is not possible to publish robust estimates of the number of incidents of graffiti due to the relatively low incidence and thus high variability of the estimates.
	Criminal damage measures from the BCS are published in line with those from recorded crime, and thus will be reviewed if any changes are made to police statistics. We will explore whether police recorded crime returns could be amended to include the information requested, without placing an undue burden on police forces. The reviews of crime statistics (Statistics Commission and Smith, forthcoming) may also affect how measurements of criminal damage and graffiti are made in future years of the BCS and police recorded crime statistics.

Anti-terrorism

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of institutional racism in the police force on anti-terrorism strategies in the community.

Tony McNulty: The police service has a duty to carry out its operations in a manner which does not discriminate against particular communities on the grounds of race or faith. All counter-terrorist policies and strategies are assessed for impact on racial groups, in accordance with the Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended). In addition, major counter-terrorist operations are subject to community impact assessments to ensure that potentially adverse impact is identified and measures taken to reduce or negate it.

Biometric Passports

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions he has made for people to register biometric passports.

Joan Ryan: I understand that you no longer wish to pursue this PQ.

Burglary

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglaries there were in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05 and  (c) 2005-06 to date in (i) North Yorkshire, (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber Region and (iii) England and Wales in (A) domestic and (B) commercial properties.

Tony McNulty: The available information is given in the following table. Statistics specifically for commercial premises are not available. Such offences are included in the 'Burglary in a building other than a dwelling' offence classification and cannot be separately identified.
	
		
			  Offences of burglary recorded by the police 
			  Number of offences 
			   Period 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			  North Yorkshire
			 Burglary in a dwelling 4,936 2,931 2,623 
			 Burglary in a building other than a dwelling 6,126 4,836 4,709 
			 
			  Yorkshire and the Humber region
			 Burglary in a dwelling 58,928 40,206 36,564 
			 Burglary in a building other than a dwelling 62,247 46,969 46,520 
			 
			  England and Wales
			 Burglary in a dwelling 402,345 321,461 300,555 
			 Burglary in a building other than a dwelling 417,668 359,621 344,563

Burglary

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglaries there have been in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05 and  (c) 2005-06 to date in (i) Chorley and (ii) Lancashire and the North West in (A) domestic and (B) commercial properties.

Tony McNulty: The available information is given in the following table. Statistics specifically for commercial premises are not available. Such offences are included in the 'Burglary in a building other than a dwelling' offence classification and cannot be separately identified.
	
		
			  Offences of burglary recorded by the police 
			  Number of offences 
			   Period 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			  Chorley
			 Burglary in a dwelling 479 338 299 
			 Burglary in a building other than a dwelling 506 509 468 
			 
			  Lancashire
			 Burglary in a dwelling 8,821 6,695 6,184 
			 Burglary in a building other than a dwelling 10,750 9,579 8,445 
			 
			  North West Region
			 Burglary in a dwelling 66,922 50,553 47,041 
			 Burglary in a building other than a dwelling 61,797 51,937 49,225

Cannabis

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his statement of 19 January 2006,  Official Report, columns 982-83, on cannabis regulation, when the education campaign on cannabis will take place.

Vernon Coaker: A widespread education campaign on the harms of cannabis and all illegal drugs is underway. In partnership with DfES the Home Office has produced 'Understanding Drugs', a comprehensive teacher and pupil information pack which is now available to every secondary school in England. The FRANK campaign has updated its cannabis information resources with new TV and radio ads and information leaflets coming on stream. In addition, the Department of Health will be issuing a toolkit for mental health practitioners on the links between cannabis and mental health in the autumn.

Control Orders

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many control orders involving  (a) access to designated people to a home,  (b) the surrender of a passport,  (c) a specific 24 hour ban on movement,  (d) requirements of (i) attendance and (ii) reporting at places or areas at specified times of day,  (e) electronic tagging or other means of monitoring,  (f) prohibitions on travel (A) within and (B) outside the UK,  (g) the removal of items from a home for testing,  (h) restrictions on access, congress or association of specified persons,  (i) restrictions on work activity,  (j) restrictions on use of the (1) internet and (2) telephone and  (k) prohibition on possession or use of specified items or substances have been served since their introduction.

Tony McNulty: We are not prepared to give a running commentary on the obligations imposed in individual control order cases.

Crime (Coventry)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many people were arrested for shoplifting in Coventry South in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many people were arrested for car theft in Coventry South in the last 12 months.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not available centrally. Information on arrests held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform is based on persons arrested for recorded crime "notifiable offences" by main offence group (i.e. theft and handling stolen goods, drugs, robbery, sexual offences, violence against the person, criminal damage etc.) at police force area only. Information is therefore not available to the detail required.

Deepcut

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those documents originating from the Surrey police and concerning deaths in Deepcut barracks that have been  (a) requested and  (b) placed in the public domain under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Tony McNulty: The following requests for documents originating from Surrey police, relating to deaths in the Deepcut barracks, have been received:
	1. Request for the report on recommendations made by Surrey police to the army.
	2. A request for any reports on Deepcut.
	3. Two requests for details of the ballistic reports.
	4. A request for copies of reports of investigations by the Surrey Police Professional Standards Department into two specific officers.
	5. A request for copies of all documents provided to Mr. Gray by the MOD which originated from Surrey Police.
	6. A request for copies of all reports into the deaths written by Dr. Logan.
	7. A request for copies of all Gold Group meetings.
	These requests have resulted in the following actions:
	1. This information and report had already been published on the force internet site.
	2. The 5th report had already been published on the force internet site.
	3. Both refused as part of an ongoing investigation. However, an appeal has been made to the Information Commissioner's Office.
	4. These were refused as part of an ongoing investigation.
	5. The documents were MOD documents provided to Surrey Police—They were already in the public domain and were released by the force.
	6. These were refused as part of an ongoing investigation and are currently under appeal with the Information Commissioner's Office and awaiting decision.
	7. This was refused and exempted as the release of copies could compromise future policing operations.

Departmental Contracts

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value is of his Department's contracts with  (a) ER Consultants and  (b) Praesta in each of the last three years; and which Ministers have made use of the services in each case.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 7 September 2006
	The value of the Department's contracts with  (a) ER Consultants and  (b) Praesta in each of the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  ER consultants  Praesta 
			 2004-05 51,688 0 
			 2005-06 291,831 96,938 
			 2006-07 (1)0 (1)42,676 
			 (1)To date. 
		
	
	Ministers have not made use of the services provided by either company.

DNA Database (Hendon)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Hendon residents are on the National DNA Database.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not available. The National DNA Database records, inter alia, the police force which took the person's DNA sample but not the person's address.

Drinking Offences

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) arrests and  (b) prosecutions for (i) being drunk and disorderly, (ii) being found drunk on a highway, public place or on licensed premises and (iii) being drunk in or when entering a designated sports event there have been in each police force area in England and Wales in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Data from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform showing the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for the offences requested, in England and Wales from 1997-2004 are provided Table 1. The information requested on arrests is not collected centrally.
	In addition to this, the penalty notice for disorder (pnd) scheme was introduced in England and Wales in 2004. Under the scheme, the police are able to issue to persons suspected of committing specified minor offences, including (i) being found drunk in a highway, public place or licensed premises, and (ii) drunk and disorderly with a fixed penalty notice. No admission of guilt is required and payment of the penalty discharges all liability to conviction for the offence. Data on the number of pnds issued for these offences in 2004 and 2005 can be found in Table 2.
	
		
			  Number of PNDs issued to offenders aged 16 and over, for selected offences England 
			   DA06 drunk and disorderly  DB05 drunk in a highway 
			  Police force area  2004  2005  2004  2005 
			 Avon and Somerset 176 286 22 92 
			 Bedfordshire 144 265 13 43 
			 Cambridgeshire 189 357 34 90 
			 Cheshire 409 190 13 13 
			 Cleveland 368 722 2 — 
			 Cumbria 403 657 7 21 
			 Derbyshire 372 558 9 13 
			 Devon and Cornwall 988 1,519 158 195 
			 Dorset 82 127 2 2 
			 Durham 441 762 17 21 
			 Essex 714 634 24 38 
			 Gloucestershire 282 320 10 31 
			 Greater Manchester 333 491 31 82 
			 Hampshire 1,074 967 73 79 
			 Hertfordshire 208 319 9 30 
			 Humberside 604 679 1 5 
			 Kent 498 1,514 45 89 
			 Lancashire 2,869 4,651 79 105 
			 Leicestershire 67 79 6 12 
			 Lincolnshire 174 71 7 7 
			 London, City of 32 101 3 12 
			 Merseyside 2,728 3,619 20 55 
			 Metropolitan 4,081 3,058 1,159 930 
			 Norfolk 79 93 34 56 
			 North Yorkshire 373 697 106 113 
			 Northamptonshire 246 618 12 39 
			 Northumbria 126 1,426 3 9 
			 Nottinghamshire 477 661 8 9 
			 South Yorkshire 1,590 2,261 10 9 
			 Staffordshire 452 380 52 74 
			 Suffolk 267 377 35 27 
			 Surrey 80 278 25 123 
			 Sussex 1,029 1,419 65 143 
			 Thames Valley 396 258 7 74 
			 Warwickshire 250 123 8 4 
			 West Mercia 141 423 10 27 
			 West Midlands 1,580 1,664 100 94 
			 West Yorkshire 923 1,961 105 93 
			 Wiltshire 346 311 63 71 
			 Dyfed Powys 183 315 37 103 
			 Gwent 127 222 22 9 
			 North Wales 639 1,173 14 33 
			 South Wales 69 432 37 63 
			 England and Wales 26,609 37,038 2,497 3,138 
			 (1) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for selected offences related to drunkenness, by police force area, England and Wales 1997-2004( 1,2) 
			  Statute: Licensing Act 1872 Sec 12 
			  Offence: Being found drunk in a highway or other Public place whether a building or not, or a licensed premises 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000 
			  Police force area  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 Avon and Somerset 61 52 63 51 92 83 83 75 
			 Bedfordshire 53 47 153 149 94 88 52 50 
			 Cambridgeshire 36 30 31 29 37 36 44 43 
			 Cheshire 69 60 63 58 48 45 34 31 
			 City of London 5 1 1  1 1 6 5 
			 Cleveland 4 3 13 13 ? ? 2 2 
			 Cumbria 38 34 36 34 22 19 13 11 
			 Derbyshire 38 35 42 38 46 35 64 63 
			 Devon and Cornwall 284 251 300 272 331 312 249 229 
			 Dorset 12 11 14 10 18 16 28 26 
			 Durham 23 17 39 31 38 27 22 17 
			 Essex 227 200 209 185 169 140 137 124 
			 Gloucestershire 53 48 90 86 56 53 34 32 
			 Greater Manchester 7 7 14 10 9 9 3 3 
			 Hampshire 346 303 481 444 346 322 232 209 
			 Hertfordshire 20 20 47 46 65 58 42 38 
			 Humberside 11 11 12 12 14 12 6 5 
			 Kent 155 129 145 138 145 130 148 133 
			 Lancashire 213 181 213 188 188 159 248 228 
			 Leicestershire ? ? 1 1 6 6 4 4 
			 Lincolnshire 34 29 49 41 26 24 25 24 
			 Merseyside 44 41 46 35 38 36 34 28 
			 Metropolitan Police 253 217 286 256 244 216 160 130 
			 Norfolk 65 60 65 61 68 64 67 58 
			 North Yorkshire 81 72 94 86 85 76 133 121 
			 Northamptonshire 6 6 6 6 6 4 7 7 
			 Northumbria 21 16 28 23 41 34 23 22 
			 Nottinghamshire 1 ? 8 7 6 6 3 3 
			 South Yorkshire 18 16 12 10 21 17 32 28 
			 Staffordshire 81 67 70 63 41 41 12 12 
			 Suffolk 108 104 81 77 97 95 72 69 
			 Surrey 91 72 97 89 108 94 119 106 
			 Sussex 226 208 226 189 130 116 81 67 
			 Thames Valley 214 186 246 215 207 180 173 153 
			 Warwickshire 8 8 98 11 17 14 9 9 
			 West Mercia 97 80 64 52 73 64 19 17 
			 West Midlands 61 45 51 40 29 23 19 16 
			 West Yorkshire 46 35 103 81 67 49 70 43 
			 Wiltshire 68 65 73 67 65 62 48 43 
			 Dyfed-Powys 92 78 152 130 134 116 138 128 
			 Gwent 21 15 25 24 21 21 25 17 
			 North Wales 17 8 13 10 14 12 7 7 
			 South Wales 113 102 241 215 250 219 251 232 
			 England and Wales 3,421 2,970 4,101 3,583 3,513 3,134 2,978 2,668 
		
	
	
		
			   2001  2002  2003  2004 
			  Police force area  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against 
			 Avon and Somerset 72 70 84 77 84 71 91 88 
			 Bedfordshire 31 27 20 19 47 38 28 20 
			 Cambridgeshire 51 47 51 47 71 68 47 44 
			 Cheshire 18 17 23 22 24 22 13 12 
			 City of London 1 ? ? ? ? ? 2 2 
			 Cleveland 3 3 2 1 3 3 3 3 
			 Cumbria 17 16 15 14 8 8 20 19 
			 Derbyshire 60 52 52 46 40 37 11 11 
			 Devon and Cornwall 215 189 228 204 185 179 106 93 
			 Dorset 12 9 12 11 15 12 11 9 
			 Durham 45 40 20 19 6 6 7 5 
			 Essex 114 99 52 44 12 11 13 11 
			 Gloucestershire 35 29 34 30 20 17 14 13 
			 Greater Manchester 8 8 4 1 10 8 4 4 
			 Hampshire 164 154 127 118 71 61 57 50 
			 Hertfordshire 31 27 18 17 18 18 17 16 
			 Humberside 3 3 4 4 5 5 2 2 
			 Kent 142 127 154 136 153 140 123 107 
			 Lancashire 182 159 177 158 69 63 35 29 
			 Leicestershire — — 2 2 — — — — 
			 Lincolnshire 11 8 15 15 10 10 9 9 
			 Merseyside 39 26 29 23 18 15 8 6 
			 Metropolitan Police 304 265 185 160 141 118 113 97 
			 Norfolk 58 49 57 55 72 61 40 37 
			 North Yorkshire 136 120 143 128 120 111 53 45 
			 Northamptonshire 1 1 9 8 3 2 4 4 
			 Northumbria 10 9 12 12 9 7 17 17 
			 Nottinghamshire 10 9 9 9 12 12 — — 
			 South Yorkshire 13 12 8 6 5 4 13 12 
			 Staffordshire 17 15 15 12 34 31 40 36 
			 Suffolk 51 48 61 57 57 52 66 61 
			 Surrey 120 94 81 67 86 79 93 89 
			 Sussex 129 107 102 93 88 78 44 40 
			 Thames Valley 144 124 123 112 127 97 97 87 
			 Warwickshire 7 7 7 7 6 4 1 1 
			 West Mercia 22 19 9 9 4 3 7 5 
			 West Midlands 11 6 7 6 22 21 16 13 
			 West Yorkshire 26 16 34 20 90 67 75 54 
			 Wiltshire 59 55 52 43 48 46 64 60 
			 Dyfed-Powys 77 70 72 68 78 77 62 60 
			 Gwent 38 35 50 46 25 21 11 8 
			 North Wales 3 2 9 8 7 6 1 1 
			 South Wales 228 207 206 184 218 190 206 192 
			 England and Wales 2,718 2,380 2,374 2,118 2,121 1,879 1,644 1,472 
		
	
	
		
			  Statute: Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol, etc.) Act 1985 Section 2(2)  
			  Offence: Drunk in, or when entering, a designated sports event  
			   1997  1998  1999  2000 
			  Police force area  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 Avon and Somerset 6 3 23 19 6 4 5 4 
			 Bedfordshire 15 14 5 4 11 10 9 5 
			 Cambridgeshire 9 9 6 6 5 4 5 5 
			 Cheshire 4 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 
			 City of London — — — — — — — — 
			 Cleveland 9 6 7 6 26 21 4 3 
			 Cumbria 4 3 1 1 — — — — 
			 Derbyshire 2 1 5 5 — — 5 4 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 
			 Dorset 6 6 13 11 3 2 11 7 
			 Durham — — — — 1 1 1 1 
			 Essex 1 — — — — — 1 1 
			 Gloucestershire — — — — 3 3 7 5 
			 Greater Manchester 9 9 28 28 9 9 13 13 
			 Hampshire 41 28 15 14 8 8 16 12 
			 Hertfordshire — — 1 — 1 1 — — 
			 Humberside — — — — 5 4 3 3 
			 Kent 2 2 1 1 10 10 3 1 
			 Lancashire 61 43 33 28 24 23 26 19 
			 Leicestershire — — 2 2 2 1 3 3 
			 Lincolnshire — — 1 1 — — — — 
			 Merseyside 3 3 9 8 13 11 10 9 
			 Metropolitan Police 198 168 191 146 115 92 73 62 
			 Norfolk 12 5 14 10 7 5 1 1 
			 North Yorkshire 6 6 2 1 3 3 15 12 
			 Northamptonshire — — — — 1 1 — — 
			 Northumbria 102 85 43 35 26 22 20 18 
			 Nottinghamshire 40 37 34 34 42 39 19 11 
			 South Yorkshire 48 28 20 13 27 23 23 21 
			 Staffordshire 3 2 1 1 — — — — 
			 Suffolk 5 5 5 5 3 2 2 2 
			 Surrey — — — — — — — — 
			 Sussex 1 1 — — 1 1 3 — 
			 Thames Valley 15 9 21 15 6 4 3 2 
			 West Mercia 2 2 — — 1 1 2 2 
			 West Midlands 59 36 52 41 25 19 15 11 
			 West Yorkshire 32 22 33 29 30 29 53 29 
			 Wiltshire 12 8 22 13 2 2 18 18 
			 Dyfed-Powys — — — — — — — — 
			 Gwent — — — — — — — — 
			 North Wales 2 2 3 3 7 7 5 4 
			 South Wales 2 1 6 4 3 1 2 2 
			 England and Wales 713 548 601 488 430 366 381 293 
		
	
	
		
			   2001  2002  2003  2004 
			  Police force area  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 Avon and Somerset 3 2 3 3 9 7 10 5 
			 Bedfordshire 4 2 2 2 2 1 3 2 
			 Cambridgeshire 8 6 4 4 2 1 4 4 
			 Cheshire 1 1 2 2 5 5 4 2 
			 City of London — — — — — — — — 
			 Cleveland 15 14 26 22 14 11 13 12 
			 Cumbria   2 2 1 1 1 1 
			 Derbyshire 3 3 11 10 4 3 15 13 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 2 
			 Dorset 12 10 8 5 3 2 1 1 
			 Durham 3 3 — — — — 2 2 
			 Essex — — — — — — 4 4 
			 Gloucestershire 6 4 7 3 1 1 — — 
			 Greater Manchester 7 7 13 11 11 9 14 14 
			 Hampshire 16 13 9 9 19 15 22 14 
			 Hertfordshire 2 2 1 1 — — 2 2 
			 Humberside 5 5 1 1 2 2 1 — 
			 Kent 3 2 — — — — 1 1 
			 Lancashire 26 22 23 18 16 8 11 7 
			 Leicestershire — — — — 4 1 2 — 
			 Lincolnshire — — 2 2 1 — 2 — 
			 Merseyside 9 8 8 7 7 6 7 6 
			 Metropolitan Police 37 31 61 52 72 59 59 45 
			 Norfolk 11 9 10 10 7 5 8 6 
			 North Yorkshire 13 8 4 4 3 3 1 1 
			 Northamptonshire — — — — 1 1 1 1 
			 Northumbria 44 42 42 41 44 41 16 14 
			 Nottinghamshire 26 16 20 15 13 12 28 25 
			 South Yorkshire 41 28 31 13 17 11 30 23 
			 Staffordshire — — 5 5 2 2 5 2 
			 Suffolk 7 6 5 4 6 6 29 25 
			 Surrey — — — — — — — — 
			 Sussex — — — — — — — — 
			 Thames Valley 9 7 3 3 2 2 4 3 
			 West Mercia 1 — — — 1 1 1 — 
			 West Midlands 55 45 85 67 72 55 84 61 
			 West Yorkshire 68 29 47 24 25 18 34 28 
			 Wiltshire 11 10 1 1 1 1 5 4 
			 Dyfed-Powys — — — — — — — — 
			 Gwent — — — — — — 1 1 
			 North Wales — — 2 2 4 4 1 1 
			 South Wales 5 3 — — 3 2 3 3 
			 England and Wales 452 339 439 344 376 298 432 335 
		
	
	
		
			  Statute: Criminal Justice Act 1967 S.91  
			  Offence: Any person who in any public place is guilty, while drunk, of disorderly behaviour  
			   1997  1998  1999  2000 
			  Police force area  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 Avon and Somerset 361 301 374 310 383 326 363 309 
			 Bedfordshire 166 143 314 185 220 199 186 161 
			 Cambridgeshire 122 99 144 125 159 133 148 132 
			 Cheshire 586 502 714 629 652 589 590 515 
			 City of London 26 13 31 21 54 29 43 24 
			 Cleveland 774 565 707 519 708 551 684 525 
			 Cumbria 808 703 812 721 802 707 521 448 
			 Derbyshire 294 250 286 257 231 206 254 229 
			 Devon and Cornwall 888 753 771 681 709 636 704 617 
			 Dorset 272 224 390 322 343 290 406 344 
			 Durham 406 308 504 390 491 368 538 435 
			 Essex 515 415 490 381 553 447 584 472 
			 Gloucestershire 147 123 200 178 153 126 158 145 
			 Greater Manchester 1,415 1,221 1,307 1,103 1,206 1,016 1,215 982 
			 Hampshire 1,270 1,151 1,393 1,276 1,306 1,161 1,133 1,004 
			 Hertfordshire 296 246 337 292 388 342 381 338 
			 Humberside 250 222 225 195 255 228 234 206 
			 Kent 560 493 720 637 865 777 900 772 
			 Lancashire 1,618 1,219 1,673 1,304 1,827 1,436 2,165 1,673 
			 Leicestershire 27 23 27 23 37 31 24 21 
			 Lincolnshire 478 390 624 528 584 492 458 389 
			 Merseyside 2,967 2,106 2,940 2,181 2,151 1,621 1,979 1,540 
			 Metropolitan Police 1,449 1,147 1,550 1,221 1,440 1,188 1,219 981 
			 Norfolk 108 99 114 106 115 106 131 127 
			 North Yorkshire 342 302 382 336 411 355 459 380 
			 Northamptonshire 26 20 24 21 21 18 29 25 
			 Northumbria 3,122 2,693 3,567 3,153 3,548 3,141 3,859 3,400 
			 Nottinghamshire 563 428 570 431 526 419 482 376 
			 South Yorkshire 1,186 843 968 717 1,148 835 1,264 909 
			 Staffordshire 320 273 305 268 247 225 330 281 
			 Suffolk 269 249 212 193 213 194 228 201 
			 Surrey 208 172 208 173 280 248 412 307 
			 Sussex 522 409 512 424 398 325 512 422 
			 Thames Valley 1,086 859 1,305 999 1,161 917 979 758 
			 Warwickshire 309 244 666 368 286 239 228 188 
			 West Mercia 654 521 574 451 561 477 488 395 
			 West Midlands 1,102 764 846 625 522 404 472 355 
			 West Yorkshire 2,655 1,383 2,764 1,431 3,097 1,446 2,809 1,149 
			 Wiltshire 370 319 426 370 267 249 275 253 
			 Dyfed-Powys 200 166 198 176 153 133 145 122 
			 Gwent 748 651 532 458 420 368 360 317 
			 North Wales 824 704 1,006 917 949 854 799 678 
			 South Wales 1,582 1,224 1,583 1,295 1,212 1,020 1,162 994 
			 England and Wales 31,891 24,940 33,295 26,391 31,052 24,872 30,310 23,899 
		
	
	
		
			   2001  2002  2003  2004 
			  Police force area  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 Avon and Somerset 399 343 408 350 427 364 371 323 
			 Bedfordshire 187 159 197 168 219 187 136 100 
			 Cambridgeshire 151 136 154 135 189 174 167 155 
			 Cheshire 563 475 648 545 652 582 505 454 
			 City of London 44 28 53 38 70 49 53 45 
			 Cleveland 621 465 630 427 715 500 631 465 
			 Cumbria 558 487 514 463 525 459 471 418 
			 Derbyshire 292 257 357 304 425 362 342 316 
			 Devon and Cornwall 817 711 895 760 672 601 477 420 
			 Dorset 469 418 551 473 520 451 166 142 
			 Durham 563 427 541 436 603 499 406 348 
			 Essex 513 433 409 338 194 174 204 186 
			 Gloucestershire 164 142 180 160 201 180 139 124 
			 Greater Manchester 1,067 825 1,005 792 965 787 505 420 
			 Hampshire 1,072 954 1,117 1,001 977 890 590 534 
			 Hertfordshire 406 352 508 437 449 387 365 315 
			 Humberside 247 214 213 175 213 174 127 118 
			 Kent 911 744 928 760 1,107 930 1,118 952 
			 Lancashire 2,366 1,806 2,210 1,628 2,180 1,564 908 670 
			 Leicestershire 26 23 26 24 19 16 18 15 
			 Lincolnshire 506 400 528 424 556 464 484 394 
			 Merseyside 1,926 1,465 2,118 1,766 2,039 1,734 1,348 1,116 
			 Metropolitan Police 1,494 1,189 2,464 2,017 2,466 2,053 1,182 972 
			 Norfolk 146 133 151 135 183 170 94 80 
			 North Yorkshire 482 377 452 348 512 427 195 167 
			 Northamptonshire 33 27 29 16 25 17 32 23 
			 Northumbria 3,516 3,077 3,587 3,138 3,944 3,530 3,939 3,602 
			 Nottinghamshire 529 358 507 364 501 368 261 199 
			 South Yorkshire 1,248 854 1,271 827 1,497 999 1,204 839 
			 Staffordshire 215 181 251 212 343 292 223 185 
			 Suffolk 267 240 333 299 357 314 337 291 
			 Surrey 473 330 477 332 439 376 289 255 
			 Sussex 631 509 733 596 801 689 474 416 
			 Thames Valley 997 697 979 660 1,090 756 895 613 
			 Warwickshire 195 155 125 105 162 140 111 101 
			 West Mercia 543 440 455 355 413 327 483 377 
			 West Midlands 437 331 463 373 307 253 531 437 
			 West Yorkshire 2,101 853 2,071 867 2,260 1,050 714 483 
			 Wiltshire 262 233 284 249 426 385 290 254 
			 Dyfed-Powys 162 144 173 153 223 193 214 201 
			 Gwent 308 262 273 226 207 182 263 221 
			 North Wales 839 755 669 588 545 479 436 383 
			 South Wales 998 843 802 672 725 637 903 819 
			 England and Wales 29,744 23,252 30,739 24,136 31,343 25,165 22,601 18,948 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Identity Cards

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timetable is for introducing  (a) identity cards and  (b) biometric identity cards.

Joan Ryan: The Government plan to introduce biometric residence permits for foreign nationals from 2008. Identity cards incorporating biometric data for British citizens will be issued from 2009.

Laser Speed Meter

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will submit the LTI20.20 laser speed meter for independent testing.

Tony McNulty: The LTI 20.20 has been through the usual testing by an independent test house against specifications set and published by the Home Office scientific development branch. We have no plans for further independent testing.

Laser Speed Meter

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for speeding have been brought as a result of readings from  (a) the LTI20.20 laser speed meter and  (b) other laser speed meters in each year since 1995.

Tony McNulty: Information held centrally on prosecutions for speeding offences detected by camera does not distinguish between the different types of camera used.

Motoring Offences

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers were prosecuted for driving without insurance in each police authority area in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: Available information taken from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform, for the offence of "using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks", from 1997-2004 (latest available) is provided in the following table.
	2005 data will be available early in 2007.
	
		
			  Proceedings at magistrates courts for the offence of using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks( 1) , England and Wales 1997-2004 
			  Number of offences 
			  Police force area  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003( 2)  2004 
			 Avon and Somerset 15,354 16,892 15,098 14,609 13,022 15,124 17,163 17,489 
			 Bedfordshire 4,724 4,449 3,479 3,594 4,651 4,731 5,041 4,534 
			 Cambridgeshire 3,440 3,425 3,058 2,929 2,508 2,875 3,301 3,120 
			 Cheshire 4,838 4,961 5,463 5,729 4,975 5,765 6,385 6,515 
			 Cleveland 3,925 4,204 4,331 4,793 4,789 5,994 5,575 6,597 
			 Cumbria 4,223 3,787 3,597 3,507 3,595 3,540 3,488 3,446 
			 Derbyshire 5,565 5,137 5,120 5,318 5,429 5,614 5,793 6,326 
			 Devon and Cornwall 8,422 7,232 7,493 9,234 8,648 9,598 9,676 8,943 
			 Dorset 5,271 4,198 4,776 6,035 5,262 6,176 7,034 6,075 
			 Durham 3,992 4,261 5,899 5,470 5,394 5,840 5,802 5,300 
			 Essex 7,161 7,025 7,336 7,898 7,708 7,811 7,489 7,132 
			 Gloucestershire 3,577 4,465 4,443 4,174 4,683 4,417 4,412 3,695 
			 Greater Manchester 30,655 30,836 33,228 33,783 37,088 36,337 38,208 34,942 
			 Hampshire 11,768 11,557 11,553 10,559 10,349 10,912 10,619 9,750 
			 Hertfordshire 4,580 5,799 4,748 5,258 5,816 6,612 7,216 7,463 
			 Humberside 4,408 4,279 4,894 5,024 4,730 4,464 5,509 5,170 
			 Kent 6,935 6,958 6,151 9,033 9,592 10,059 9,788 10,673 
			 Lancashire 20,334 18,794 18,111 18,354 16,280 17,555 21,229 16,065 
			 Leicestershire 9,706 9,481 11,054 10,263 10,475 10,699 11,304 10,833 
			 Lincolnshire 4,589 5,000 5,345 4,500 4,083 4,242 5,883 6,621 
			 London, City of 2,671 3,127 2,521 1,738 1,826 2,353 2,563 2,812 
			 Merseyside 10,896 9,747 8,932 10,054 9,467 10,360 12,776 13,023 
			 Metropolitan Police 42,283 35,064 31,285 29,649 32,032 36,485 43,100 47,806 
			 Norfolk 3,932 3,434 3,468 3,951 4,744 5,563 6,322 5,084 
			 Northamptonshire 4,999 4,849 5,571 3,949 2,028 1,211 4,157 5,804 
			 Northumbria 12,470 11,837 13,296 13,195 12,504 12,309 12,951 11,685 
			 North Yorkshire 3,926 3,744 4,003 3,905 3,545 3,340 3,774 4,065 
			 Nottinghamshire 8,078 8,726 7,957 7,748 7,856 7,460 9,224 9,224 
			 South Yorkshire 11,228 11,553 11,763 12,690 14,623 13,859 13,745 11,416 
			 Staffordshire 8,180 8,210 8,021 8,777 6,027 7,056 7,214 7,439 
			 Suffolk 3,258 3,743 4,189 3,923 4,123 4,759 5,808 5,718 
			 Surrey 4,942 3,908 4,436 4,941 5,101 5,554 4,657 3,927 
			 Sussex 9,333 8,202 7,415 6,796 6,814 6,413 5,808 4,371 
			 Thames Valley 11,887 11,948 13,543 12,816 11,728 12,842 14,516 12,920 
			 Warwickshire 4,316 3,769 3,523 4,135 4,204 3,711 3,756 4,160 
			 West Mercia 7,082 8,207 7,450 7,686 7,787 7,849 7,735 7,249 
			 West Midlands 29,878 30,928 27,409 28,148 27,010 32,339 36,409 39,696 
			 West Yorkshire 23,980 23,549 25,776 26,529 27,618 24,873 26,966 32,404 
			 Wiltshire 3,463 4,820 4,708 4,901 5,292 5,326 4,794 4,641 
			  
			 Dyfed-Powys 3,079 2,852 3,017 3,072 2,953 3,316 3,094 2,244 
			 Gwent 4,097 4,478 4,451 4,680 4,758 4,508 4,083 3,474 
			 North Wales 4,859 4,452 4,102 3,697 3,376 4,048 5,968 6,022 
			 South Wales 14,829 16,187 15,406 14,615 13,805 16,499 16,932 15,946 
			 England and Wales 397,133 390,074 387,419 391,659 388,298 410,398 447,267 441,819 
			 (1) An offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 s. 143 (2).  (2) As from 1 June 2003, "driving a motor vehicle while uninsured against third party risks" became a fixed penalty offence.   Note:  Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Police

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) front line police officers and  (b) police officers in total there were in (i) the Northern Division, (ii) Central Division and (iii) Southern Division of Cambridgeshire Constabulary in each year from 1997 to 2005.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 20 October 2006
	I understand this an operational matter for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, however, the relevant data are contained in the table.
	
		
			  Police officer strength (FTE)( 1)  by function type( 2)  for Cambridgeshire Constabulary( 3)  as at 31 March 2003 to 31 March 2006( 4) 
			   Operational support  Operational  Organisational Support  Total 
			  31 March 2003 
			 Cambridgeshire Central 20 318 1 339 
			 Cambridgeshire Northern 25 333 2 360 
			 Cambridgeshire Southern 34 357 6 397 
			  
			  31 March 2004 
			 Cambridgeshire Central 25 334 1 360 
			 Cambridgeshire Northern 33 322 1 356 
			 Cambridgeshire Southern 32 359 3 394 
			  
			  31 March 2005 
			 Cambridgeshire Central 19 291 2 312 
			 Cambridgeshire Northern 30 276 2 308 
			 Cambridgeshire Southern 22 342 2 365 
			  
			  31 March 2006 
			 Cambridgeshire Central 23 296 3 322 
			 Cambridgeshire Northern 28 288 1 317 
			 Cambridgeshire southern 44 321 2 367 
			 (1). Full time equivalent. This figure includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. (2). Recorded functions are "Operational", "Operational support" and "Organisational support". (3). Data available at the basic command unit level. (4). Data not available prior to 2002-03

Police

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to the public purse of the Cambridgeshire Police Authority's Equality Scheme since 31 May 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 20 October 2006
	This is a matter for the chief constable.

Police

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in negotiations on pay for police officers.

Tony McNulty: The 2006 police officer pay award is now subject to arbitration.

Police

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on the Police Pension Scheme in each year since 1980-81; what forecasts he has made of how much will be spent in each year between 2007-08 and 2050-51; how many members of the scheme there are; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The administration of the Police Pension Schemes is the responsibility of individual police authorities.

Police

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have faced disciplinary procedures for negligence or oversight in investigating a crime and following up leads with diligence in each year since 2000.

Tony McNulty: The statistics for negligence or oversight in investigating a crime and following up leads with diligence are not specifically captured or held centrally.
	However, Police Complaints statistics for England and Wales up to 31 March 2004 are available on the Home Office website (www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds). With effect from 1 April 2004, the responsibility for the guardianship of the police complaints system and the collation and publication of these statistics passed to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and they are available on (www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/resources/research/stats).

Police

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of average increases in the police precept for English police forces in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: It is for the relevant authorities to set the police precept for 2007-08.

Police

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of neighbourhood policing in Coventry South.

Tony McNulty: There are currently 10 dedicated teams in the M2 operational command unit which covers the Coventry South parliamentary constituency.
	West Midlands police are on target to introduce neighbourhood policing to every community by April 2007, and to ensure that every community has an embedded neighbourhood policing team by April 2008.

Police

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many traffic police officers there were in  (a) Suffolk,  (b) Bedfordshire,  (c) Cambridgeshire,  (d) Essex,  (e) Hertfordshire and  (f) Norfolk in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: I understand this is an operational matter for the police constabularies concerned. However, the relevant data are contained in the following table.
	
		
			  Police officers whose primary function is traffic as at 31 March 2003 to 31 March 2006 (FTE)( 1,2) 
			   31 March 2003  31 March 2004  31 March 2005  31 March 2006 
			 Bedfordshire 75 80 80 81 
			 Cambridgeshire 85 99 101 99 
			 Essex 241 242 243 243 
			 Hertfordshire 150 151 149 149 
			 Norfolk 120 121 107 112 
			 Suffolk 68 72 76 80 
			 (1) Full time equivalent. This figure includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. (2) Data not available prior to 2002-03.

Police

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many traffic police officers there were in Lancashire in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 20 October 2006
	I understands this is an operational matter for the chief constable of Lancashire. However, the relevant data are contained in the following table.
	
		
			  Police officers whose primary function is traffic as at 31 March 2003 to 31 March 2006 (FTE)( 1,2) 
			  Lancashire  Number 
			 31 March 2003 198 
			 31 March 2004 187 
			 31 March 2005 190 
			 31 March 2006 197 
			 (1) Full time equivalent. This figure includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave.  (2) Data not available prior to 2002-03.

Professional Standards Investigations

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people involved in professional standards department investigations in the last 12 months are  (a) white and  (b) from black or minority ethnic backgrounds.

Tony McNulty: The statistics for the ethnicity of police staff involved in professional standards department investigations is not specifically captured or held centrally.
	However, police complaints statistics for England and Wales up to 31 March 2004 are available on the Home Office website (www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds). With effect from 1 April 2004, the responsibility for the guardianship of the police complaints system and the collation and publication of these statistics passed to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and they are available on: www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/resources/research/stats).

Psychiatric Units

David Curry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places are available in medium secure psychiatric units in each county of England and Wales; and what each figure represents per 100,000 population.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	The information available centrally does not identify medium secure psychiatric unit places separately, but the following table gives the average daily number of available beds for adults, excluding the elderly, in all secure mental illness and secure learning disability wards for 2005-06. The figures are broken down by strategic health authority (SHA) rather than by county.
	
		
			  SHA  Mental illness: other ages: secure unit  Learning disabilities: other ages: secure unit  Population  Secure unit beds per 100,000 population (mental health and learning disability) 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 84 32 2,264,913 5.11 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 37 36 1,630,799 4.48 
			 Essex 82 8 1,645,924 5.50 
			 North West London 250 0 1,871,187 13.38 
			 North Central London 208 0 1,243,437 16.73 
			 North East London 138 0 1,542,634 8.95 
			 South East London 130 16 1,524,646 9.58 
			 South West London 97 0 1,335,822 7.26 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 59 31 1,406,509 6.38 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 75 44 1,151,799 10.33 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 71 10 1,659,750 4.88 
			 West Yorkshire 174 9 2,118,579 8.63 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 124 205 1,938,136 16.99 
			 Greater Manchester 66 0 2,547,647 2.58 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 85 15 2,360,466 4.23 
			 Thames Valley 105 10 2,139,263 5.38 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 106 0 1,811,057 5.84 
			 Kent and Medway 51 0 1,621,011 3.16 
			 Surrey and Sussex 46 0 2,592,893 1.77 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 60 0 2,221,019 2.70 
			 South West Peninsula 30 0 1,629,358 1.84 
			 Dorset and Somerset 12 0 1,217,417 0.99 
			 South Yorkshire 19 0 1,285,615 1.48 
			 Trent 471 54 2,701,341 19.45 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 20 0 1,604,994 1.25 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 39 0 1,505,599 2.59 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 163 15 2,287,069 7.78 
			 West Midlands South 4 42 1,572,770 2.92 
		
	
	The individual national health service trust information on which this table is based can be found on the Department's website at: www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data_requests/beds_open_overnight.htm.
	In compiling their returns, NHS trusts are expected to include high, medium and low secure bed number information.

Road Safety

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many random eye tests have been conducted on motorists in each of the last five years; and what proportion of drivers have been assessed as having eyesight below the required level.

Tony McNulty: The police have no power to stop a driver specifically to conduct a random eyesight test. Where there is reason to suspect that a driver has defective eyesight, the police may require the driver to undergo an eyesight test. Data relating to eyesight tests are not collected centrally.

Terrorism Legislation

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of the Terrorism Act 2006; and what recent representations he has received about the operation of this Act.

Tony McNulty: The Terrorism Act 2006 creates a number of new offences including acts preparatory to terrorism; encouragement to terrorism, including glorification of terrorism; dissemination of terrorist publications; and giving or receiving terrorist training. The Act also makes amendments to existing legislation, including extending police powers to detain suspects after arrest for up to 28 days; improved search powers at ports; and increased flexibility of the proscription regime, including the power to proscribe groups that glorify terrorism.
	The Terrorism Act 2006 received Royal Assent on 30 March 2006. The majority of its provisions came into force on 13 April 2006, with the exception of sections 23-25 covering pre-charge detention which came into force on 25 July 2006.
	We regularly receive representations from interested parties, such as Members of Parliament and members of the public, on the Terrorism Act 2006.

Victim Support/Neighbourhood Watch

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding his Department has provided to  (a) victim support and  (b) neighbourhood watch schemes in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government funds £30 million to Victim Support annually to provide services to victims and witnesses across England and Wales. This funding has almost trebled from £11.7 million in 1997. Additionally the Government have funded discrete projects run by Victim Support, including £1 million this year to pilot enhanced services to victims of crime. The annual funding for the past 10 years is set out in the following table.
	The Government do not provide direct funding to Neighbourhood Watch or other Watch schemes. To fund all local schemes would not be possible and to selectively fund only a proportion would be unfair and divisive. Schemes are advised how to find alternative funding, for example locally via the Safer Stronger Communities funding. The Government provide support to Neighbourhood Watch and the wider Watch movement through the provision of free literature, public liability insurance, training and advice.
	The annual funding for the past 10 years is set out as follows.
	
		
			  Financial year  Home Office grant to Victim Support (£ million) 
			 1995-96 10.82 
			 1996-97 11.68 
			 1997-98 12.68 
			 1998-99 12.68 
			 1999-2000 17.50 
			 2000-01 18.55 
			 2001-02 25.05 
			 2002-03 29.30 
			 2003-04 30.00 
			 2004-05 30.00 
			 2005-06 30.00 
			 2006-07 30.00

HEALTH

Air Ambulance Service

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many patients have been transported by the North West Air Ambulance in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what funds will be allocated to the North West Air Ambulance Service for 2007-08.

Rosie Winterton: Data on air ambulance journeys are not held centrally.
	Air ambulance services are provided by registered charities. Since 1 April 2002, the cost of clinical staff on air ambulances has been met by the national health service on a continuing basis. It is for NHS trusts to decide whether they provide any additional funding to air ambulance charities.

Alzheimer's Disease

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that clinicians continue to be able to exercise flexibility in prescribing drugs for people with Alzheimer's disease.

Andy Burnham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is currently finalising its technology appraisal guidance on drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and expects to publish its guidance on 22 November alongside a new clinical guideline on the management of dementia, and the treatment and care of people with dementia in health and social care. It would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in that process.

Ambulance Services

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average ambulance response time in attending 999 calls in  (a) East Anglia and  (b) England has been in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The Department collects ambulance response time data in relation to response time requirements rather than by average response time. Therefore, the information requested is not centrally collected in the required format.
	The data that the Department does collect on ambulance response times have been published on an annual basis in the statistical bulletin, "Ambulance services, England". These documents are all available in the Library and the latest bulletin, for 2005-06, is available on the information centre for health and social care's website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/ambulanceserv06.

Ambulance Services

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans her Department has to review the funding for the North West Ambulance Service following the recent rating of "weak" by the Healthcare Commission.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 24 October 2006
	Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for ensuring the provision of emergency ambulance services to such extent as they consider necessary to meet all reasonable requirements. We expect the new PCTs to agree and strengthen arrangements for commissioning ambulance services, and to improve commissioning of health services as a whole.

Ambulance Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulances are in service with the Sussex Ambulance Service; and how many are over five years old.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Ambulance Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the ambulance admissions to  (a) Worthing Hospital and  (b) the Royal Sussex County Hospital were emergency admissions in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Audiology

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for improving NHS audiology services; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Department is currently in the process of developing a national action plan to address the range of challenges facing audiology services.

Birth Statistics

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women registered with a Hartlepool GP gave birth at  (a) the University Hospital of Hartlepool,  (b) the University Hospital of North Tees,  (c) the James Cook University Hospital,  (d) Darlington Memorial Hospital,  (e) Bishop Auckland Hospital,  (f) City Hospitals Sunderland,  (g) another hospital and  (h) at home in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: This information is not collected centrally.

Birth Statistics

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many births there were at  (a) the Princess Royal hospital, Haywards Heath,  (b) St Richard's hospital, Chichester and  (c) Worthing hospital in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Deliveries registered by hospital 2000-05 
			  Hospital  2004-05  2003-04  2002-03  2001-02  2000-01 
			 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals National Health Service Trust(1) 5,263 5,224 — — — 
			 The Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath(2) — — 2,133 2,061 2,152 
			 St Richard's Hospital, Chichester 2,015 1,918 1,795 1,771 1,861 
			 Worthing Hospital 2,472 2,346 2,305 2,278 2,278 
			 (1) Consists of the Princess Royal and the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.  (2) Part of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.   Notes: 1 Data for 2005-06 cannot be supplied as they are still provisional.  2 Data were not published independently for the Princess Royal hospital in 2003-04 and 2004-05. This information is incorporated into the data for the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Bowel Cancer Screening

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with the implementation of the bowel cancer screening programme since 1 April; what the timetable is for further implementation of the programme; how many people have been screened; and how many people she expects will have the opportunity to undergo screening in the next five years.

Ivan Lewis: Good progress has been made in rolling out the national bowel cancer screening programme.
	The programme consists of five programme hubs across England which will invite men and women to participate in the screening programme, send out the faecal occult blood (FOB) testing kits, analyse the returned kits and send out results. Ninety to 100 local screening centres will provide endoscopy services for the 2 per cent. of men and women who have a positive FOB test result.
	The five hubs have been confirmed as:
	Rugby—West Midlands and the North West - began operations in July 2006;
	Guildford—Southern - began operations in September 2006;
	St Mark's—London - begins operations in October 2006;
	Gateshead—North East; and
	Nottingham—Eastern.
	All five hubs will be operational by March 2007.
	In addition to the hubs, the first six local screening centres have now been confirmed. Wolverhampton and Norwich began sending out invitations in July 2006, and South Devon and Liverpool began sending out invitations in September 2006. St Mark's London is due to begin sending out invitations in October 2006, with St George's London following in November 2006. The other eight sites due to become local screening centres in wave one of the programme, in 2006-07, will be confirmed as soon as possible, when they have satisfied quality and capacity criteria.
	We will be writing to the new strategic health authorities (SHAs) shortly for them to bid for their local endoscopy units to become local screening centres as part of wave two of the programme in 2007-08. It is up to SHAs to decide where local screening centres should be located for the benefit of their own populations.
	Over 4,550 people have been screened since the start of the national programme.
	The bowel cancer screening programme is an ambitious project, and one of the first of its kind in Europe. Full national roll-out in England is expected by December 2009 and when fully implemented, around 2 million men and women in their 60s will be screened every two years. We are committed to implementing this important programme.

Breast Cancer

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the breast cancer  (a) survival rate and  (b) death rate was for women in each constituency in the North East region in each of the last 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: Survival and death rates cannot be provided for parliamentary constituencies as population estimates are not available for these areas.
	The Office for National Statistics has published cancer survival rates for adult patients resident in each of the strategic health authorities (SHAs) in England, who were diagnosed during 1997-99 and followed up to the end of 2004. One- and five-year relative survival rates for female breast cancer are provided in table 1 for the two SHAs that constituted the North East Government Office Region during this period.
	Breast cancer death rates for these SHAs from 1996 to 2005, the latest year available, are included in table 2.
	
		
			  Table 1: One- and five-year age-standardised relative survival (per cent.) from breast cancer by strategic health authorities in the North East Government Office Region, for women diagnosed in 1997-99 and followed up to 31 December 2004 
			  Percentage 
			  Strategic health authority  One-year survival  Five-year survival 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 93.12 76.58 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 93.69 77.96 
			  Source: www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/SurvivalRatesbySHA2004Data.xls 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Death rates( 1)  from female breast cancer( 2)  by strategic health authorities in the North East Government Office Region,( 3 ) 1996 to 2005( 4) 
			  Death rates per 100,000 population 
			   Northumberland, Tyne and Wear  County Durham and Tees Valley 
			 1996 32.3 36.2 
			 1997 35.7 35.4 
			 1998 36.1 30.3 
			 1999 33.1 28.7 
			 2000 30.2 30.4 
			 2001 30.6 29.6 
			 2002 25.9 28.3 
			 2003 23.8 25.9 
			 2004 26.8 28.7 
			 2005 28.9 29.7 
			 (1 )Rates per 100,000 population standardised to the European Standard Population. (2) The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, 9(th) Revision (ICD-9) for years 1996-2000, and the International Classification of Diseases, 10(th) Revision (ICD-10) for 2001-05. The codes used are listed as follows: Breast cancer—ICD-9174; ICD-10 C50. Records were selected using the original underlying cause of death. (3) Usual residents of these areas. (4) Deaths registered in each calendar year.

Breast Cancer

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the geographical consistency of testing of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer for suitability for treatment with herceptin.

Rosie Winterton: In October 2005, Professor Mike Richards, the national cancer director, wrote to all cancer networks to identify the current level of HER2 testing and to inform them that they would need to put arrangements for HER2 testing in place.
	This exercise confirmed that access to HER2 testing facilities was patchy and few networks were testing all women with early breast cancer to determine their HER2 status.
	In March 2006, the national cancer director sought a progress report from cancer networks. This showed that there had been a significant improvement in the number of cancer networks providing HER2 testing for all women diagnosed with early breast cancer.
	28 out of 34 cancer networks reported that they were HER2 testing all women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. The remaining six reported that they would be testing all these women by the end of October 2006.

Cancer Treatment

Kitty Ussher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in waiting times for cancer treatment in Burnley constituency since  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2001.

Andy Burnham: The information is not available in the format requested. Information for national health service trusts in the Burnley area relating to cancer waiting times for the most recent years where figures are available has been set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of patients treated for children's cancer, testicular cancer and acute leukaemia, and proportion of patients starting treatment within 31 days of general practitioners referral, in Burnley region in 2001-02 quarter 4 and 2006-07 quarter 1( 1) 
			   2001-02 Q4  2006-07 Q1 
			Number and percentage of patients treated within 31 days of referral   Number and percentage of patients treated within 31 days of referral 
			   Total number of patients treated during the quarter  Number  Percentage  Total number of patients treated during the quarter  Number  Percentage 
			 Burnley region(2) 6 6 100 4 3 75 
			 England 342 327 95.6 263 251 95.4 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of patients treated for breast cancer, and proportion of patients starting treatment within 31 days of diagnosis, in Burnley region in 2001-02 quarter 4 and 2006-07 quarter 1( 1) 
			   2001-02 Q4  2006-07 Q1 
			   Total number of patients treated during the quarter  Percentage of patients treated within 31 days of diagnosis  Total number of patients treated during the quarter  Percentage of patients treated within 31 days of referral 
			 Burnley region(2) 94 100.0 113 100.0 
			 England 6,315 94.2 8,980 99.8 
			 (1) The only figures available relating to treatment (rather than time waited for first out-patient appointment) in 2001-02 are for rare cancers and breast cancer. (2) Figures are for Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust, Preston Acute Hospital NHS Trust and Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust in 2001-02 Q4 and for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2006-07 Q1.  Note: Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust and Blackburn Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust merged to form East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (1 April 2003). Preston Acute Hospital NHS Trust and Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust merged to form Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (1 August 2002).  Source: CWT-Db, Department of Health

Care Homes

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether general practitioners may  (a) remove from their patient lists and  (b) refuse to take on to their lists people who are resident in hospitals, nursing homes and residential homes managed by independent or voluntary sector organisations.

Caroline Flint: Where a general practice removes any patient from its list of registered patients it must have reasonable grounds for doing that to the individual. Unless the list is formally closed to new applications this requirement also applies if a general practice wishes to refuse any application to join its list of registered patients.

Central Budget Review

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 19 July 2006,  Official Report, column 510W, on the Central Budget Review, what the minor reductions considered inescapable were.

Andy Burnham: The previous answer detailed the timing of the completion of the Central Budget Review and stated that allocations have been subject to minor reductions to cover a small number of pressures that were considered inescapable. It was the pressures not the reductions that were inescapable.
	It is not possible to supply a like-for-like comparison of budgets in 2005-06 and 2006-07 because, as a consequence of the review of 2006-07 budgets, responsibility and resource for a significant proportion have been transferred to the national health service via strategic health authorities. This reflects the desire to ensure better, more timely targeting of central funding to meet local priorities.

Cholesterol Medication

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients there were on cholesterol lowering medication in each of the last 20 years.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not hold data on the number of patients treated with cholesterol lowering medication. The following tables detail prescriptions dispensed in the community.
	
		
			  Total number of items, in thousands, dispensed in the community in England for cholesterol lowering medication since 1991. 
			  Thousand 
			  BNF chemical name  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996  1997  1998 
			 Acipimox 8.6 9.7 9.2 9.1 9.4 9.5 8.8 7.7 
			 Atorvastatin — — — — —  205.0 819.4 
			 Bezafibrate 389.2 448.1 497.0 540.4 587.7 622.9 608.3 552.5 
			 Cerivastatin — — — — — — 46.6 253.0 
			 Chondroitin Sulphate A 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 — 0.0 
			 Ciprofibrate — 0.5 22.0 62.0 103.9 134.1 152.3 143.3 
			 Clofibrate 46.4 37.7 31.3 26.8 22.9 19.7 17.2 14.6 
			 Colestipol Hydrochloride 25.8 31.2 36.1 34.9 31.6 26.4 21.2 16.9 
			 Colestyramine 120.8 117.3 109.4 100.7 93.9 85.8 76.1 69.5 
			 Ezetimibe — — — — — — — — 
			 Fenofibrate 8.3 15.7 25.1 38.8 57.9 82.4 97.4 98.3 
			 Fluvastatin Sodium — — — 9.5 46.8 113.8 194.8 260.1 
			 Gemfibrozil 66.7 72.1 73.6 71.0 65.6 61.0 54.2 45.1 
			 Ispaghula Husk — — — — — 0.0 8.8 10.9 
			 Lovastatin — — 0.0 — — — 0.0 0.0 
			 Nicofuranose 17.8 17.3 16.8 7.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Nicotinic Acid 10.1 9.4 8.9 8.3 7.2 6.2 5.2 4.8 
			 Omega-3 Marine — — — — — — — — 
			 Triglycerides 34.1 32.0 30.4 29.0 29.1 30.1 30.3 29.4 
			 Omega-3-Acid Ethyl — — — — — — — — 
			 Esters — — — — — — — — 
			 Other Preparations 0.7 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.0 
			 Pravastatin Sodium 53.1 99.0 134.3 159.0 189.2 290.9 457.5 684.2 
			 Probucol 9.8 8.3 7.2 6.6 6.3 6.1 1.2 0.2 
			 Rosuvastatin Calcium — — — — — — — — 
			 Simvastatin 275.2 409.2 513.2 637.9 963.8 1,648.3 2,412.2 2,971 .9 
			 Simvastatin and Ezetimibe — — — — — — — — 
			 Sitosterol 0.0 0.0 — — — — — — 
		
	
	
		
			  BNF chemical name  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Acipimox 6.9 6.7 6.6 6.3 6.1 5.3 5.2 
			 Atorvastatin 1,703.7 2,885.5 4,407.6 6,450.7 8,629.4 11,238.1 13,172.8 
			 Bezafibrate 510.5 485.0 469.1 456.3 443.1 426.2 423.1 
			 Cerivastatin 463.8 767.1 659.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Chondroitin Sulphate A — — — — — — — 
			 Ciprofibrate 136.1 125.9 119.0 108.9 99.9 91.8 86.2 
			 Clofibrate 12.4 2.9 0.0 0.0 — — — 
			 Colestipol Hydrochloride 14.6 12.7 12.5 11.9 10.6 8.6 8.0 
			 Colestyramine 67.3 69.3 71.9 74.8 74.8 73.7 73.4 
			 Ezetimibe — — — — 50.1 293.2 661.0 
			 Fenofibrate 106.5 127.5 164.8 204.4 239.9 272.7 307.2 
			 Fluvastatin Sodium 315.6 395.0 581.1 783.7 774.5 671.7 515.8 
			 Gemfibrozil 39.3 36.5 36.1 34.4 32.3 28.6 25.7 
			 Ispaghula Husk 9.6 9.1 8.7 8.1 6.0 8.6 1.1 
			 Lovastatin 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Nicofuranose — — — — — — — 
			 Nicotinic Acid 3.3 2.0 1.9 1.6 1.6 13.7 25.2 
			 Omega-3 Marine — — — — — — — 
			 Triglycerides 29.5 30.2 31.7 33.5 32.1 32.8 35.1 
			 Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters — — — 0.8 22.7 78.7 145.0 
			 Other Preparations — 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Pravastatin Sodium 0.0 1,200.4 1,684.1 2,292.4 2,582.3 2,503.9 2,217.9 
			 Probucol 918.5 0.0 0.0 — — — — 
			 Rosuvastatin Calcium 0.0 — — — 277.4 1,015.8 1,311.8 
			 Simvastatin — 4,174.9 5,268.1 7,135.8 9,371.4 12,680.9 16,536.9 
			 Simvastatin and Ezetimibe 3,588.0 — — — — — 16.4 
			 Sitosterol — — — — — — — 
			  Notes:  1. Prescription costs analysis (PCA) data. Prescription information is taken from the PCA system, supplied by the prescription pricing division of the NHS Business Services Authority and is based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in the community i.e. by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. Also included are prescriptions written in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man but dispensed in England. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospitals, including mental health trusts, or private prescriptions.  2. Prescription items. Prescriptions are written on a prescription form. Each single item written on the form is counted as a prescription item.  3. Discontinuity of data. Please note that data up to 1990 have not been provided as they are not consistent with data from 1991 onwards. Figures for 1980 to 1990 are based on fees and on a sample of one in 200 prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only. Figures for 1991 onwards are based on items and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.   Source:  PCA.

Community Hospitals

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether primary care trusts will be required to launch a full public consultation before submitting bids for the £750 million of capital made available by her Department for community hospitals; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: When evaluating proposals for funding, the Department will expect to see evidence that primary care trusts have complied with their legal duty to involve and consult patients and the public.
	The national health service has a duty under section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 to involve and consult patients and the public, not just when major change is proposed, but in the ongoing planning of services; not just when considering a proposal, but in developing that proposal; and in decisions that may affect the operation of services.

Continuing Healthcare

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes she plans to make to NHS arrangements for continuing healthcare.

Ivan Lewis: We are in the process of introducing a national system for deciding who gets national health service funding for continuing care. Proposals for the national framework for continuing care were presented for public consultation for three months from 19 June 2006 to 22 September 2006. The proposals detail plans for a single, simplified and coherent system for eligibility and assessment of national health service funding—both for fully funded national health service continuing healthcare and national health service-funded nursing care. Responses to the consultation are currently being analysed with a view to publishing the Government's response to the consultation in late 2006.

CSR 2007

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what working groups have been established by her Department in order to inform her Department's input into the comprehensive spending review 2007; what topics the groups cover; what staff the groups have in support of their work; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The work of the Department on the comprehensive spending review (CSR) is overseen at official level by a joint Department of Health and HM Treasury steering group, with consultation with the NHS management board and the social CSR review working group.
	The Department of Health has analytical, finance and policy teams working on all areas of the CSR, including the following: trends in underlying demand and costs, value for money reviews, the approach to investment and asset management, pay and workforce, and the performance framework. Departmental officials are also involved in the work on cross-Government policy reviews that will feed into the CSR, including the mental health and employment outcomes review and the supporting housing growth review.

Dentistry

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists with NHS contracts have been registered in  (a) Bristol and  (b) Bristol West in each year since 2003.

Rosie Winterton: The latest full year information is provided in the following table. Information for the full year ending 2006-07 is not yet available. The latest available information shows that there were 105 dentists on open national health service contracts in Bristol North Primary Care Trust (PCT) and 124 in Bristol South and West PCT as at 30 June 2006.
	The number of NHS contracts and the service associated with these contracts provides a guide to the level of NHS dental services available. Management information shows that 93.4 per cent. and 98.3 per cent. of dental service respectively was preserved in these two PCTs following the launch of the reforms.
	The PCTs are actively re-commissioning the small percentage of service associated with the rejected contracts. Nationally PCTs are finding no shortage of dentists willing to take on additional NHS activity.
	
		
			  March  Bristol North PCT  Bristol South and West PCT 
			 2003 101 117 
			 2004 102 115 
			 2005 113 132 
			 2006 120 140 
			  Notes: 1. The new NHS dental contract arrangements were introduced on 1 April 2006. Workforce numbers under the new contractual arrangements are not comparable with numbers under the old contract as the numbers of dentists are now counted differently based on a contract between the provider and the PCT.  2. Under the new contract, the numbers of dentists provided are performers and are defined as a dentist who has been set up on the Dental Practice Division Payments online system by the PCT to work under an open contract as at 30 June 2006. The number provided is a count of individuals listed as performers on open contracts.  3. Under the new contract arrangements PCTs agree with providers a specified annual level of NHS dental treatment. The provider is committed under the contract to providing this level of service—he or she may do this personally or through other dentists he or she employs (they must however be listed within the PCT contract as potential performers of NHS services). 4. Most NHS dentists do some private work. Figures provided do not take into account the proportion of NHS work undertaken by dentists.  5. Figures for the numbers of dentists at specified dates may vary depending on the date the figures are compiled. This is because the NHS BSA may be notified of joiners or leavers to or from the GDS or PDS up to several months, or more, after the move has taken place. Information is up to date as at 16 October 2006.  6. Hospital and community dental services or services provided privately have been excluded from the numbers.  7. Further information is available in reports published by the information centre for health and social care: information on the new contract (quarter 1, June 2006) is available at www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dentalstatsq2o6. Historical information, old contract, is available at www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dwfactivity.   Sources:  The Information Centre for Health and Social Care NHS Business Services Authority (BSA)

Dentistry

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect of the new dental contract on the volume of NHS orthodontic treatment in  (a) England and  (b) the Shropshire primary care trust area.

Rosie Winterton: Since the dental reforms introduced on 1 April 2006, primary care trusts have been responsible for commissioning dental services, including orthodontic treatment, to meet the needs of their local areas. Before 1 April 2006, under the item of service remuneration system, the national health service dental monitoring system measured individual elements of orthodontic treatment. The monitoring system now measures case assessments and overall orthodontic courses of treatment that typically last between one and two years. This means that the statistics currently available do not yet make it possible to assess any changes in the volume of orthodontic treatment nationally or locally.

Dentistry

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average monthly income from patient charges is under the new personal dental services contract; and what a typical equivalent month's income under the previous general dental services system was.

Rosie Winterton: The information centre for health and social care expects to publish the first information on patient charge revenue under the new general dental services (GDS) contracts and new personal dental services (PDS) agreements later in the year.
	In 2005-06, dentists working under the former GDS contract reported £320 million of patient charge revenue to the Dental Practice Board. The monthly average was £26.7 million. The monthly figure fell during the year from £31.3 million in both April and May 2005 to £25.1 million in March 2006, because a number of dentists switched during the year from the general dental services contract to the personal dental services pilots. Charge income collected under the personal dental services pilots is excluded from the aforementioned figures.

Dentistry

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average cost of a course of treatment in a new dental access centre is; and what the average cost of an equivalent course was from a dentist under the previous general dental services contract;
	(2)  what percentage of treatment given to patients at dental access centres are band 3 treatments;
	(3)  what the average patient waiting time is for band 3 treatments in dental access centres.

Rosie Winterton: The average cost of a course of treatment under the previous general dental services contract in 2005-06 was £41.20. The information requested for dental access centres is not available centrally.

Departmental Advertisements

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will list the advertisements which her Department has placed in the  Official Journal of the European Union in 2006;
	(2)  whether  (a) a project team was in place and  (b) there was ministerial sign-off before each advertisement was placed in the  Official Journal of the European Union in the last six months.

Ivan Lewis: A list of advertisements placed in the  Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) is not held centrally.
	Appropriate resources and clearance for procurements through OJEU advertisement are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Departmental Expenditure

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department spent on organising and hosting conferences in the last 12 months.

Ivan Lewis: This information is not separately recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department spent on taxis in the last 12 months.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has spent £355,976.55 on its central contract for this year up to the end of September 2006.
	Other taxi fares may be claimed through staff expenses but the information cannot be made available without disproportionate cost.

District General Hospitals

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health of which NHS trust or foundation trust each NHS district general hospital in England forms a part.

Andy Burnham: This information is not centrally available.
	Available information on the hospitals managed by all NHS trusts and primary care trusts can be obtained via the internet on national health service UK online. This is the official gateway to NHS organisations on the internet and includes a local services search facility to locate services by postcode. The internet address is www.nhs.uk.

East of England SHA

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the east of England strategic health authority plans to utilise maps of population density in its review and planning of acute hospital services; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: It is for strategic health authorities in conjunction with primary care trusts and local stakeholders to plan the level and type of services they provide to ensure that they meet the needs of the populations that they serve.

Free Eye Tests

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pensioners have received free eye tests since their introduction in each  (a) local health authority area and  (b) constituency.

Ivan Lewis: The information in the table shows the number of national health service (NHS) sight tests for those aged 60 and over paid for by the former strategic health authority (SHA) areas from 1999-2000 to 2005-06. Eligibility for NHS sight tests was extended to those aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999.
	The data have been produced by former SHA areas. Data are not collected by constituency.
	
		
			  Former strategic health authority area  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 England 3,301,412 3,753,315 4,012,946 4,135,712 4,308,889 4,303,128 4,450,007 
			 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge 161,882 183,042 187,020 190,352 244,051 255,196 261,384 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 114,426 121,867 110,610 85,046 101,458 70,005 89,077 
			 Essex 128,718 159,564 167,613 160,577 155,533 165,165 169,562 
			 North West London 134,922 151,709 166,743 169,879 94,476 97,901 98,339 
			 North Central London 71,932 73,365 79,697 67,993 76,687 67,914 68,258 
			 North East London 67,346 77,326 85,248 87,487 103,215 89,775 91,922 
			 South East London 71,304 74,413 72,892 82,320 99,045 78,599 78,034 
			 South West London 67,080 83,721 88,647 87,106 89,659 88,985 88,907 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 52,747 76,576 76,436 80,148 89,617 97,584 94,777 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 76,053 82,647 87,714 92,435 96,916 99,369 104,004 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 111,108 128,601 142,103 141,724 155,552 171,317 168,066 
			 West Yorkshire 152,198 174,826 141,216 188,444 189,379 189,289 205,472 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 118,377 158,871 172,234 189,075 186,885 190,754 193,830 
			 Greater Manchester 141,564 176,480 195,782 189,914 184,696 182,198 193,605 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 166,704 179,640 193,163 201,180 185,045 181,771 196,814 
			 Thames Valley 128,358 158,320 164,765 160,681 167,621 162,125 166,394 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 79,152 85,964 102,388 84,312 165,310 178,348 178,754 
			 Kent and Medway 109,703 119,039 134,011 140,199 149,278 144,553 149,776 
			 Surrey and Sussex 222,138 232,896 245,858 253,865 279,365 280,377 290,911 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 181,672 203,009 217,783 223,777 231,175 219,092 225,607 
			 South West Peninsula 126,533 146,353 177,901 204,678 186,236 190,707 192,405 
			 Dorset and Somerset 113,271 135,811 149,004 152,475 152,260 156,330 151,065 
			 South Yorkshire 84,951 83,846 99,717 98,214 97,155 107,389 110,525 
			 Trent 183,181 199,129 220,662 231,649 241,897 237,149 269,230 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 92,257 116,009 123,800 126,463 134,600 141,158 148,654 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 105,831 120,099 115,939 138,045 139,452 144,793 150,472 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 127,130 157,108 175,287 179,241 180,419 176,443 169,206 
			  Note:  The age related criteria take precedence on the sight test form so, for example, somebody aged 60 or over with diabetes or glaucoma might only be recorded in the "aged 60 and over" category.   Source:  The Information Centre, Department of Health

Head Injuries

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of how the move to practice-based commissioning will affect the commissioning and provision of specialised services for those who have suffered brain injuries.

Andy Burnham: The move to practice-based commissioning (PBC) should not affect the commissioning and provision of specialised services for brain injury, including specialised rehabilitation services, as specialised services are not covered by PBC.

Health Worker Numbers

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) consultants,  (b) GPs,  (c) all doctors,  (d) nurses, (e) ancillary staff and  (f) NHS staff in each (i) trust and (ii) county there were in each of the last 20 years.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not available in the format requested.

Hospital Acquired Infections

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths attributable to hospital acquired infections were recorded by each NHS trust in the 2005-06 financial year.

Andy Burnham: It is not possible to give reliable figures on the number of deaths involving hospital-acquired infections from routinely collected mortality data, as information on where the infection was acquired may not be available to the doctor certifying the death.

Hospital Staff Pensions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost is of pension contributions for staff at  (a) Southlands Hospital in West Sussex,  (b) Worthing Hospital and  (c) the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally.

Independent Birth Units

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place a moratorium on closure of independent birth units until the conclusion of the National Perinatal Epidemiological Unit's study into midwifery services and the role of such units.

Ivan Lewis: The Government's vision is that women should have easy access to supportive, high quality maternity services, designed around their individual needs and those of their babies. Any decisions about reconfiguration of services should be made at local level as local commissioners and managers are in the best position to determine the needs of their local population. Reconfiguration does not necessarily mean reducing service capacity, but rather affords local managers the opportunity to build local services that are fit to deliver 21st century maternity care, recognising the fact that services may need to be delivered differently, and in different locations—for example in community based settings. By 2009, all women will have choice over where and how they have their baby, from a range of settings, including hospitals, midwifery-led units and at home. A home birth or a birth in a midwifery-led unit, should be a realistic option for all women with uncomplicated pregnancies. The choices offered to women should fall within the safety net of an emergency network that is readily available, should the need arise.

Influenza Vaccine

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being put in place to avoid in 2007 the shortages of influenza vaccine which have been experienced in 2006.

Caroline Flint: As part of the routine planning process for the seasonal flu programme, departmental officials meet with the United Kingdom vaccine industry group (UVIG) to discuss the UK's flu vaccine requirement for the forthcoming winter. Initial production problems were encountered by manufacturers this year that have lead to delays to some deliveries of vaccine rather than an overall shortage.
	The latest information from industry indicates that more seasonal flu vaccine will be available this year than in previous years.

IT Systems (Sussex)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost has been of installing updated information technology systems in the last five years at  (a) Southlands Hospital in West Sussex and  (b) Worthing Hospital.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Maternity and Paediatric Services

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what information and advice was provided by the local NHS to inform her decision to refer maternity and paediatric services in Teesside to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel;
	(2)  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the basis was for her decision to refer maternity and paediatric services in Teesside to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel;
	(3)  whether the contents of the letter of 31 July to her from the chairman of Hartlepool borough council's adult and community services and health scrutiny forum formed part of the basis of her decision to refer maternity and paediatric services in Teesside to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel.

Ivan Lewis: The Secretary of State received referrals affecting maternity and paediatric services in Teesside from the joint overview scrutiny committee (JOSC) chaired by the Middlesbrough borough council covering the local authorities of Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton, Hartlepool, North Yorkshire and Durham on 7 July 2006 and the Stockton overview and scrutiny committee (OSC) on 3 July 2006. In addition, Hartlepool borough council's adult and community services and health scrutiny forum also wrote to her on the same subject on 31 July.
	Both the OSCs and the JOSC respectively stated that they felt that the proposals to reconfigure maternity services were not in the best interests of the local population.
	The views expressed in each of the referrals were fully taken into consideration in the Secretary of State's request to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) to undertake a review of maternity and paediatric services in Teesside.
	For the JOSC, the rationale is to retain a consultant-led maternity and paediatric service on both the North Tees and Hartlepool hospital sites. For the Stockton OSC, the principle of centralisation of these services on to one site was accepted, with a view that this could only be based at North Tees (Stockton). The Hartlepool borough council supported centralisation of these services on one site with a view that these could only be based at Hartlepool.
	The advice from the local NHS (the North East Strategic Health Authority) was that the two issues of centralisation and location of services needed recognition and resolution. The strategic health authority's view is that centralisation of consultant-led services to form one service within the trust is essential, and two separate consultant-led services as advocated by the JOSC are unsustainable. The issue is therefore one of where to locate these services.
	In light of the differing views expressed by the local OSCs to her, the Secretary of State wrote to the IRP asking them for their advice on 22 September 2006. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library.
	The IRP will submit its report to the Secretary of State no later than 18 December 2006.

Maternity Units

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department's policy is on midwife-led maternity units.

Ivan Lewis: The Government's vision for woman-focused, family-centred care as well as choice in maternity services is pivotal to the maternity standard of the national service framework for children, young people and maternity services. The standard requires national health service maternity care providers and primary care trusts to ensure that the range of ante-natal, birth and post-birth care services available locally provides real choice for women (including home births) and that local options for midwife-led care will include midwife-led units in the community or on a hospital site to all women who have been appropriately assessed.
	In their manifesto, the Government made a commitment that, by 2009, all women will have choice over where and how they have their baby and this should include offering services in a range of settings, including hospitals, midwife-led units and at home. The choices offered to women should ensure access to an emergency network that is readily available, should the need arise. The Government have further demonstrated their commitment to choice in maternity in the White Paper "Our Health, Our Care, Our Say", published on 30 January this year, which pledges to raise the profile of maternity services and encourages doctors to support birth choices.
	Ultimately, decisions about the patterns of maternity service delivery are matters for local NHS trusts to determine, taking into account local population needs, priorities and resources.

Mental Health

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what proportion of the total NHS mental health budget was allocated to  (a) services dedicated to addressing the mental health problems of children and adolescents and  (b) services dedicated to addressing the mental health problems of adults in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  what the total financial investment in  (a) children and adolescent mental health services and  (b) adult mental health services was in each of the last 10 years.

Ivan Lewis: Information is not available in the requested format. Information about gross expenditure on mental illness elements of the national health service hospital and community health services budget in each of the last 10 years for which data are available has been placed in the Library. The data exclude social care spend on people with mental health problems, and expenditure concerning people treated in primary care for whom a specific diagnosis has not been reached. The figures therefore underestimate the total mental health expenditure. From 2003-04, the national programme budget project began mapping all NHS expenditure, including primary care services, to programmes of care based on medical conditions such as mental health problems. This information is published on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/13/74/68/04137468.xls.
	The child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) mapping exercise for 2005 found that in 2004-05 the total spend on specialist CAMHS by the NHS and local authorities was £431 million. Further information on expenditure on CAMHS can be found at www.camhsmapping.org.uk/2005.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions she had with Tony Maden before she produced the Review of Homicides by Patients with Severe Mental Illness;
	(2)  what method she used to decide who would produce the Review of Homicides by Patients with Severe Mental Illness; what factors she took into account when deciding to commission Tony Maden; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  when she commissioned the Review of Homicides by Patients with Severe Mental Illness;
	(4)  what consultations were held to discuss the criteria which Tony Maden used to carry out her assessment of mental health patients for the Review of Homicides by Patients with Severe Mental Illness; and who decided the criteria for  (a) the assessment and  (b) the case selection;
	(5)  whom she consulted before commissioning the Review of Homicides by Patients with Severe Mental Illness.

Rosie Winterton: Following a number of high profile homicides by people with a mental illness the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Health asked for an assessment of what actions could be taken to prevent such tragedies.
	In October 2005, as part of a broader programme of work, the Department of Health Risk Management Programme commissioned Professor Anthony Maden, as an acknowledged international expert on risk in mental health, to review independent homicide inquiry reports relating to patients with severe mental illness and a history of violence and report on the lessons services could learn to help avoid such tragedies.
	The terms of reference of the work, case selection criteria and outputs were agreed between Professor Maden, the national director for mental health Professor Louis Appleby and departmental officials. Departmental Ministers have not met Professor Maden to discuss the work.
	Cases were selected from the database of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness using the following criteria:
	a current patient of the NHS mental health services in England and Wales committing a homicide during the last 10 years;
	a diagnosis of schizophrenia or other delusional disorder or of bipolar affective disorder as recorded on the homicide form for the Confidential Inquiry;
	availability of Confidential Inquiry forms and at least one psychiatric court report relating to the homicide; and
	a history of previous violence known to the mental health team before the homicide occurred.
	The data were used to complete the HCR20, a structured clinical assessment of violence risk, for each case. The findings were then used to draw practical conclusions as to how clinical services can better manage violence risk in patients with major mental illness and a previous risk of violence.

Mental Health

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what proportion of the budget each strategic health authority was spent on mental health in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the budget was for each mental health trust in each of the last five years;
	(3)  what proportion of the budget of each primary care trust was spent on mental health in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not available in the requested format.
	The Department makes revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs), but not to mental health trusts. Allocations were first made to PCTs in 2003-04, but prior to this funding was allocated to health authorities. Information has been placed in the Library.
	Information on expenditure by each PCT on commissioning of mental illness services in each of the last five years for which data are available has been placed in the Library.
	The data exclude social care spend on people with mental health problems, and expenditure concerning people treated in primary care. It should be noted that some commissioning expenditure would also have been undertaken by health authorities, particularly in 2000-01 and 2001-02. The figures therefore underestimate the total mental health expenditure.
	Some primary care trusts may have local arrangements in respect of commissioning. For example, North and South Peterborough PCTs have an arrangement whereby the commissioning of health care expenditure in the area is by North Peterborough only. This produces a degree of variance year on year.
	In order to gain a more comprehensive picture of mental health spend, the Department commissioned national surveys of investment in mental health services in each year since 2001. The reports of five surveys covering the period from 2000-01 to 2005-06 are available from the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk.

Mental Health Advocates

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current level of provision is of mental health advocates for NHS patients; and what level of provision she plans to put in place in 2007-08.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected centrally. It is for local statutory commissioning bodies to determine the level and scope of advocacy services in their areas in the light of their knowledge of local needs and priorities.
	The Government support mental health patients' access to advocacy. We have commissioned a programme with the University of Durham to develop training and standards for mental health advocates and systems to support the commissioning of services. The initial research findings indicate that some form of advocacy is available to mental health patients in over 80 per cent. of local implementation team areas in England.

Midwives

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives were enrolled in training between 2003 and 2006 due to the need to retrain because of absences from the profession.

Rosie Winterton: Between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005, 563 midwives successfully completed Nursing and Midwifery Council return to practice programmes.

Multiple Myeloma

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many responses from  (a) health care professionals,  (b) patients and  (c) carers were received by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the consultation on Velcade for multiple myeloma.

Andy Burnham: The information is not available in the format requested. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) appraisal consultation document on Velcade for multiple myeloma was placed on NICE's website for public consultation for a period of three weeks from 24 July 2006. I understand that by the end of the consultation period NICE had received 243 responses from members of the public, 15 responses from registered stakeholder organisations and a petition with 2,282 signatures.
	Further information, including a summary of the responses received, can be found on NICE's website at www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=377664.

Multiple Myeloma

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the availability of innovative new medicines for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Andy Burnham: We established the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to produce guidance to the national health service on the clinical and cost effectiveness of innovative new medicines. We have not made any separate assessment.

Myalgic Encephalopathy

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to increase access to services for people suffering from myalgic encephalopathy in  (a) Hartlepool constituency and  (b) the North East region.

Ivan Lewis: Local national health service (NHS) organisations have the responsibility to demonstrate that they are making progress towards achieving the level of service quality described in the national service framework for long-term conditions. This document sets out a clear vision of how health and social care organisations in all parts of the country can improve the quality, consistency and responsiveness of their services and help improve the lives of people living with neurological conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

National Care Standards Commission

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the relationship is between the National Care Standards Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspections; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) was established by the Care Standards Act 2000 as a non-departmental public body to regulate social care services and independent health care services in England. It operated between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2004. The NCSC replaced local and health authority inspection units and took over the regulation of children's homes, previously the responsibility of the Department and the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI).
	As part of the Government's rationalisation of the inspection and regulation of social care services, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) took over the work of the NCSC, the SSI and the SSI/Audit Commission joint review team on 1 April 2004.
	CSCI was established under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003, as a non-departmental public body with the remit to improve the quality of adults and children's social care in England. CSCI has an overview of all private, voluntary and council-run social care services in England. It registers, inspects and reviews social care provision to ensure that people using social care receive a safe, high quality service that gives value for money.

Necrotising Enterocolitis

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has examined on the causes of necrotising enterocolitis in the NHS.

Ivan Lewis: Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal disease seen principally in neonatal intensive care units. The Medical Research Council funded researchers at the Institute of Child Health to undertake a study with the objective of establishing the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis, to determine whether early diet influenced its onset and severity. The study ran from October 1993 to October 1994 and used the surveillance system set up by the British paediatric surveillance unit. The outcome data highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding adding weight to the view, based now on several lines of evidence that the inclusion of human milk in the diets of preterm infants may be clinically beneficial. The Government are fully committed to the promotion of breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for infants and recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate types and amounts of complementary foods.
	We are aware that the Health Technology Assessment, which researches health interventions of diseases, has a project soon to be commissioned that relates to prevention of the condition. The title is "Early administration to preterm infants of Bifidobacterium breve strain BBG to prevent infection and necrotising enterocolitis".

Necrotising Enterocolitis

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of children and babies with necrotising enterocolitis there were in each year between 2000 and 2006.

Ivan Lewis: Necrotising enterocolitis is a serious gastrointestinal disease seen principally in neonatal intensive care units. The Information Centre for health and social care has provided the following data taken from hospital episode statistics on incidence between 2000-01 and 2004-05, the latest year for which information is available:
	
		
			  Finished consultant episodes where the primary diagnosis is necrotising enterocolitis/enteritis 
			   Number 
			  P77X( 1) —Necrotising enterocolitis of fetus and newborn  
			 2004-05 153 
			 2003-04 177 
			 2002-03 121 
			 2001-02 153 
			 2000-01 123 
			   
			  A047( 2) —Enteritis due to clostridium difficile  
			 2004-05 35 
			 2003-04 373 
			 2002-03 310 
			 2001-02 296 
			 2000-01 286 
			 (1) P77X is valid for babies not yet born and those until 27th day 23rd hour and 59th minute of life.  (2) A047 includes but is not limited to necrotising enterocolitis due to clostridium difficile  Notes: Diagnosis (primary diagnosis). The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (7 prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics data set and provides the main reason the patient was in hospital. Finished consultant episode (FCE) An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care with the year.   Ungrossed Data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data, that is the data are ungrossed.

NHS Direct and NHS Online

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people received advice from  (a) NHS Direct and  (b) NHS online in each month since their introduction, broken down by local authority area.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally. The following tables show the number of calls answered by NHS Direct and the number of online visits to NHS Direct online by month. NHS Direct online does not require users to provide information on location and is mainly an anonymous service.
	
		
			  Date  Combined calls answered 
			  2003  
			 January 547,872 
			 February 509,293 
			 March 576,117 
			 April 579,994 
			 May 551,998 
			 June 523,626 
			 July 530,285 
			 August 518,882 
			 September 475,709 
			 October 511,835 
			 November 545,826 
			 December 570,636 
			   
			  2004  
			 January 548,523 
			 February 505,760 
			 March 541,404 
			 April 544,879 
			 May 554,454 
			 June 497,347 
			 July 526,320 
			 August 530,191 
			 September 493,979 
			 October 536,500 
			 November 536,052 
			 December 615,693 
			   
			  2005  
			 January 619,178 
			 February 518.242 
			 March 611,515 
			 April 558,860 
			 May 593,367 
			 June 553,523 
			 July 570,075 
			 August 539,704 
			 September 516,687 
			 October 569,768 
			 November 539,382 
			 December 614,238 
			   
			  2006  
			 January 629,590 
			 February 548,812 
			 March 576,279 
			 April 578,772 
			 May 558,538 
			 June 513,125 
			 July 548,480 
			 August 488,427 
		
	
	
		
			  Date  Web visits (Thousand) 
			 December 2004 728 
			   
			  2005  
			 January 965 
			 February 930 
			 March 1,034 
			 April 1,062 
			 May 1,063 
			 June 1,013 
			 July 963 
			 August 1,002 
			 September 992 
			 October 1,072 
			 November 1,074 
			 December 860 
			   
			  2006  
			 January 1,459 
			 February 1,415 
			 March 1,562 
			 April 1,461 
			 May 1,598 
			 June 1,562 
			 July 1,700 
			 August 1,689 
			  Note:  Combined calls includes calls to 0845 46 47 and out of hours calls.  Source:  NHS Direct National Operations Centre.

NHS Operations

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS operations were cancelled in  (a) Suffolk,  (b) Bedfordshire,  (c) Cambridgeshire,  (d) Essex,  (e) Hertfordshire and  (f) Norfolk in each year since 1997.

Andy Burnham: Information is not held in the format requested. The Department collects data on the number of operations cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons. The table shows the latest data available for the period April to June 2006, as published on 25 August 2006, for the number of operations cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons for acute trusts in the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, Essex and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire areas. Information prior to 2001 is not available broken down by acute trust.
	
		
			  Last minute cancelled operations for non-clinical reasons, national health service organisations in England, 2001-02 to 2005-06 
			  Organisation  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 213 212 266 286 278 
			 Bedford Hospital NHS Trust 793 152 180 201 190 
			 East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 345 266 557 505 856 
			 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust 444 741 815 800 439 
			 Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust 379 208 171 169 173 
			 Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust 264 419 470 447 370 
			 Southend Hospital NHS Trust 400 509 691 1,007 869 
			 The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust 493 323 262 213 311 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 562 244 815 666 621 
			  Source: Department of Health dataset QMCO

NHS Services (Private Providers)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether headcount reductions as a result of staff transfers from the NHS Logistics Authority and NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency to the private sector will be included in the efficiency targets set for her Department by the Gershon Review.

Andy Burnham: Headcount reductions as a result of staff transfers from the NHS Logistics Authority and NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency to the private sector will not be included in the efficiency targets set for the Department by the Gershon Review.

NHS Training Budgets

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities have announced reductions in their training budgets; and what the  (a) percentage reduction and  (b) cash amount of the reduction is in each case.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 19 October 2006
	Strategic health authorities are still in the process of finalising determining their training budgets but some reductions in funding for training compared with the increased budgets of 2006-07 are inevitable.

NICE

Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence technology guidance on drugs and technologies automatically ceases if the guidance is subsumed into clinical guidelines;
	(2)  whether National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence technology guidance retains statutory force until it is subsumed into guidelines; and at which point in the process of subsumation the statutory force of such guidance ceases.

Andy Burnham: When a National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence technology appraisal is updated within a clinical guideline, the original technology appraisal will be withdrawn when the finished clinical guideline is published. The statutory direction that applies to the funding of technology appraisals applies until a technology appraisal is withdrawn.

NICE

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she made of the extent to which the submissions which the Department of Health has put to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence about the Alzheimer's drugs appraisal have been addressed.

Andy Burnham: Responses to consultations from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) are published on NICE's website. This includes the Department's responses to the two consultations on the appraisal of drugs for Alzheimer's disease together with the appraisal committee's comments. I am confident that the appraisal committee has given appropriate consideration to all the responses it received.

NICE

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether primary care trusts may refuse funding for a treatment based on an appraisal consultation document from a National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence technology appraisal.

Andy Burnham: An appraisal consultation document from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) does not constitute NICE's final guidance to the national health service. In the absence of NICE guidance the NHS is expected to take into account available evidence when deciding whether or not to fund a treatment.

NICE

Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence on drugs is mandatory; and for what reason such guidance on devices is non-mandatory.

Andy Burnham: No such distinction exists. Technology appraisal guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) may make recommendations on the use of new and existing medicines, medical devices, such as hearing aids and inhalers, diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures, or health promotion activities.
	There is a statutory direction that requires the national health service to provide funding within three months from the date of publication of all NICE technology appraisal guidance regardless of whether it relates to drugs or devices.

Nursing Courses

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what immigration statuses are  (a) sufficient and  (b) insufficient to enable applicants to take NHS-funded access to nursing courses.

Rosie Winterton: The national health service funds and supports pre-registration nursing degree and diploma courses in the higher education sector. Access to nursing courses are usually run by further education colleges. These courses are not generally funded through the NHS. It is the further education colleges' responsibility to determine whether a prospective student has the correct immigration status to enable them to apply for a course in line with Home Office requirements.

Patient and Public Involvement Forums

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role local involvement networks will have; and in what ways the role of local involvement networks are intended to be different to that of patient and public involvement forums.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 24 October 2006
	The Government believe that people have a range of opportunities for having real influence over their health and social care services. "A stronger local voice", copies of which are available in the Library, set out plans for developing local involvement networks (LINks), which would be set up to gather the views and experiences of people on their health and social care services.
	One of the fundamental strengths of LINks is that they will relate to both health and social care, providing a joined-up way of considering the entire patient journey. They are therefore not limited to the remit of patient forums, which focused solely on health issues. In addition, the intention is that LINks should have a flexible structure so that they can best adapt to local circumstances.

PCT Allocations

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 August to question 13422, if she will set out each allocation or target share of each of the four elements used to set primary care trusts' actual allocations for each primary care trust based on both present and future restructured boundaries.

Andy Burnham: 2006-07 allocations were made to 303 primary care trusts (PCTs). The number of PCTs was reduced from 303 to 152 on 1 October 2006. Where the new PCT was a merger of two or more former PCTs, the allocations for the new PCTs are the sum of allocations for the former PCTs. In the few places where former PCTs divided between two or more new PCTs, the weighted capitation targets and distances from targets are estimated for the new PCTs.
	Information on the four elements used to set 2006-07 allocations for the 303 PCTs is shown in section 4, tables 4.1 and 4.2 of the 2006-07 and 2007-08 PCT revenue resource limits exposition book. This is available in the Library and at www.dh.gov.uk/allocations.
	The same information for the 152 PCTs has been placed in the Library.

PCT Posts

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many chief executive posts for the reconfigured primary care trusts from October 2006 are  (a) vacant and  (b) filled by a temporary position.

Rosie Winterton: Based on information from all strategic health authorities (SHAs), at 1 October 2006 there were seven vacant chief executive posts in reconfigured primary care trusts (PCTs). Each of these posts has been filled by an interim appointment. SHAs will conduct their own recruitment exercises to fill these posts substantively. In addition, at 1 October 2006, seven substantive appointees to reconfigured PCTs had still to take up post, with interim chief executives appointed to these PCTs on a temporary basis.

Pregnancy Care

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the basis was for the recent statement by the chief executive of the NHS that pregnant women are best served by large consultant-led services; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Any decisions about reconfiguration of services should be made at a local level. Our clear commitment is that by 2009, all women will have choice over where and how they have their baby, and this should include offering services in a range of settings, including hospitals, midwifery-led units and at home. The choices offered to women should fall within the safety net of an emergency network that is readily available, should the need arise.

Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total salary bill is for  (a) the Royal Sussex County Hospital and  (b) the Princess Royal Hospital in West Sussex in 2006-07.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 23 October 2006
	The information requested is not collected centrally.

Ravenscourt Park Hospital

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals have been earmarked to take patients who would previously have been treated at Ravenscourt Park hospital's orthopaedic unit.

Andy Burnham: Most patients who would previously have been treated at Ravenscourt Park hospital will receive treatment at Charing Cross, St. Mary's, Northwick Park and West Middlesex hospitals. These hospitals initially referred patients to Ravenscourt Park hospital. From January 2006 patients in England have been able to expect their general practitioners to offer them choice from four or more national health service trusts or other service providers commissioned by their primary care trusts, so people formerly referred to Ravenscourt Park could have gone to other places as well.

Ravenscourt Park Hospital

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors were taken into consideration when deciding to close Ravenscourt Park hospital.

Andy Burnham: This was a local decision.
	I understand that the decision to close Ravenscourt Park hospital was taken by the Hammersmith hospitals national health service trust after detailed financial and predicted patient analysis. Having successfully reduced waits for orthopaedic services in north west London the extra capacity offered by Ravenscourt Park hospital is no longer required. Improved efficiency and reduced waiting lists now mean that north west London has more capacity than it needs to achieve the 18-week target and to provide patients with a range of choice over where they are treated.

School Nurses

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) headcount and  (b) full-time equivalent school nurses have been employed in the NHS since 2003, broken down by the primary care trust area in which they were employed.

Rosie Winterton: This information has been placed in the Library.

Sentinel Node Biopsy

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps she is taking to encourage NHS trusts to sign up for the New Start training programme relating to sentinel node biopsy;
	(2)  which NHS trusts have not yet signed up in each relevant area for the New Start training programme relating to sentinel node biopsy;
	(3)  how many trusts are undertaking sentinel node biopsy; and how many such biopsies have been undertaken.

Rosie Winterton: The Department contributed £150,000 towards the development of the sentinel node biopsy training programme run by the Raven Department at the Royal College of Surgeons in 2004. Data are not collected centrally on the number of national health service (NHS) trusts signed up to undertake the programme, which ones are carrying out the procedure or the number of procedures undertaken by the NHS. It is for cancer networks to work in partnership with strategic health authorities and postgraduate deaneries to put in place a sustainable process to assess, plan and review their workforce needs and the education and training of all staff linked to local and national priorities for cancer including the implementation of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence improving outcomes guidance on breast cancer.

Thames Gateway/Stratford City

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the additional population from the  (a) Thames Gateway and  (b) Stratford City developments which will need to be covered by hospital provision in the area; and which hospitals will be affected.

Andy Burnham: This is a local matter. However, officials have been advised by National Health Service London that an additional population increase is anticipated as a direct result of the Thames Gateway development in north-east London, which includes Stratford City, and that all of the hospitals in north- east London will be affected by this population increase.
	Departmental officials work closely with the Department for Communities and Local Government on the development of the Thames Gateway and are currently liaising on the development of a cross-government Thames Gateway strategic framework, which will set out further action to support this housing growth area.
	I understand that considerable analysis has been done by the local NHS as to how demand will change as a result of this increase and how it will be met. It should also be noted that this growth will take place alongside natural population growth of a similar magnitude.
	The revenue allocations to primary care trusts for 2006-07 and 2007-08 include projected increases in populations. This means we are using the best available population data which properly take account of the challenges faced in areas with growing populations.

Therapists

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many practising talking therapists were employed within the NHS, broken down by primary care trust, in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many  (a) trained counsellors and  (b) therapists trained in (i) cognitive behavioural therapy, (ii) cognitive analytical therapy, (iii) psychodynamic psychotherapy and (iv) behavioural psychotherapy were employed within the NHS in each of the last 10 years, broken down by primary care trust; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: This information has been placed in the Library.
	The annual work force census records the number of qualified clinical psychologists, qualified psychotherapists and qualified nurses in psychiatry. Information on an individual's qualifications and training is not collected centrally.
	Primary care trusts (PCTs) were first created in 2001, so qualified clinical psychologists and qualified psychotherapists are recorded by PCT since then.
	Since 1995, the number of qualified clinical psychologists has increased by 3,792 (114 per cent.), the number of qualified psychotherapists has increased by 696 (178 per cent.) and the number of qualified nurses in psychiatry has increased by 10,063 (26 per cent.).

Trust Outturns

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment the Government have made of the financial outturn of the  (a) Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Trust and  (b) Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust in (i) 2003-04, (ii) 2004-05 and (iii) 2005-06; and what the estimated outturn is of each for 2006-07.

Andy Burnham: The 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 final accounts and forecast 2006-07 outturn (quarter one) for Royal Surrey County Hospital National Health Service Trust and Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Trust (PCT) are shown as follows.
	
		
			  £000 
			   Organisation 
			   Guildford and Waverley PCT  Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust 
			  Final accounts   
			 2003-04 58 (1,549) 
			 2004-05 (5,887) 262 
			 2005-06 (2,027) 279 
			
			  Forecast outturn based on quarter one   
			 2006-07 (13,052) 0

Turnaround Teams

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the  (a) salary and  (b) per diem rate is of each turnaround director appointed to a London hospital.

Andy Burnham: The Department does not hold this information.

Unpaid Fees

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the outstanding amount was of unpaid fees by overseas patients in the NHS in Yorkshire in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what action she is taking to reduce this figure; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: There is no provision whereby visitors to the United Kingdom can automatically be entitled to free national health service hospital treatment. Anyone who is not ordinarily resident in this country is subject to the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended. The regulations place a responsibility on NHS trusts to have systems in place to establish whether a person is ordinarily resident, or exempt from charges, or liable to be charged. Where it is established that charges apply, they cannot be waived for any reason.
	Successive Governments have not required the NHS to provide statistics on the number of overseas visitors seen, treated or charged under the provisions of the charging regulations, nor any costs involved. It is therefore not possible to provide the information requested.

Waiting Times

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time in hospitals within the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority was for a person referred by a general practitioner to see a hospital consultant in each year since 1997.

Andy Burnham: The median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment following referral by a general practitioner in the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire area is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Median waiting time for first outpatient appointment following GP referral for all organisations within Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire strategic health authority (SHA) 
			  Period   Median (weeks) 
			  March   
			 1997 Q01 7.0 
			 1998 Q01 6.9 
			 1999 Q01 7.9 
			 2000 Q01 7.9 
			 2001 Q01 7.7 
			 2002 Q01 8.2 
			 2003 Q01 7.2 
			 2004 Q01 7.2 
			 2005 Q01 7.2 
			 2006 Q01 5.6 
			
			  June   
			 2007 Q01 5.7 
			  Source: Provider based QM08

NORTHERN IRELAND

Accident and Emergency Departments

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1544W, on Northern Ireland accident and emergency departments, how many emergency admissions there were to hospitals in Northern Ireland where the primary or secondary diagnosis was  (a) an alcohol-related condition and  (b) a combination of an alcohol-related condition and an injury in each of the last three years.

Paul Goggins: Information on the number of emergency admissions(1) to hospitals in Northern Ireland, where the primary or secondary diagnosis was an alcohol-related condition or a combination of an alcohol-related condition and an injury is presented as follows, for 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 (the latest year for which data are available).
	 (a) The number of emergency admissions(1) to hospitals in Northern Ireland, where the primary or secondary diagnosis was an alcohol-related condition.
	
		
			   Number of emergency admissions( 1)  for alcohol-related conditions 
			 2003-04 6,062 
			 2004-05 6,581 
			 2005-06 6,618 
		
	
	 (b) The number of emergency admissions(1) to hospitals in Northern Ireland, where the primary or secondary diagnosis was a combination of an alcohol-related condition and an injury.
	
		
			   Number of emergency admissions( 1)  for alcohol-related conditions and injuries 
			 2003-04 1,713 
			 2004-05 1,648 
			 2005-06 1,606 
			 (1 )Discharges and deaths are used as an approximation to admissions. It is possible that any individual could be admitted to hospital more than once in any year and will thus be counted more than once as an admission.  Source:  Hospital Inpatient System

Appointments

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) Protestant,  (b) Roman Catholic and  (c) non-determined appointees there have been to (i) the Child Support Agency in Northern Ireland, (ii) general service grades of the Civil Service in Northern Ireland and (iii) the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in the last 12 months; and what percentage of appointees this represents in each case.

David Hanson: The following table shows how many people have been appointed through open competition to the bodies specified over the period 1 October 2005 to date. The figures for the appointees to the general service grades in the Northern Ireland Civil Service include appointees to the Child Support Agency.
	
		
			   Protestant  Roman Catholic  Non-Determined  Total 
			   Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number 
			 NI Civil Service 747 46.5 833 51.8 27 1.7 1607 
			 Child Support Agency 171 49.9 170 49.3 3 0.8 344 
			 NI Housing Executive 76 34.7 121 55.3 22 10.0 219

Central Services Agency

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the quantity and quality of the Central Services Agency's legal work.

Paul Goggins: The quality and quantity of legal services is primarily a matter for the HPSS organisations which contract with the providers of legal services, including the Central Services Agency.
	However, legal services provided by Central Services Agency to the HPSS were subject to a specific monitoring exercise on an annual basis by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety from 1996 to 2002 under a protocol for the use of a framework of approved providers of legal services to the HPSS.
	In 1999, the Department commissioned an independent review of legal services provided to HPSS bodies under a framework of approved legal services providers. The report concluded that the framework had facilitated value for money improvements in the provision of legal services to HPSS bodies. However it also highlighted a number of recommendations to achieve further improvements.

Consultants

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by the Department for Regional Development on consultants' fees in connection with the reform of water and sewerage services since 2001; what forecast he has made of spending on such fees in each year until 2010; how many of the related contracts have been extended beyond the original agreement on  (a) costs and  (b) services required; and what such changes have been.

David Cairns: During the financial years 2001-02 to 2005-06 the total cost of external consultancy fees incurred by the Water Reform Unit and the Water Service in respect of the reform of water and sewerage services was £4,287,436. The forecast for 2006-07 is £12,515,000 and for 2007-08 is £1,400,000. No forecasts of expenditure in 2008-09 and 2009-10 have been made.
	The forecast for 2007-08 represents estimated costs to be incurred by the Department for Regional Development only. The new water company will be established with effect from 1 April 2007 and any transformation costs incurred by it thereafter will not be borne by the Department.
	A total of four contracts were extended beyond the original agreement; the details are as follows:
	Strategic and financial consultancy—extended by £33,700 in respect of additional work carried out on the Integrated Financial Model.
	Financial advisory consultancy—extended by £351,000 to undertake additional functions associated with the integration of the development of the operating licence and the regulatory principles and framework of the new company.
	Programme management consultancy—extended by £95,000 in respect of additional programme planning support.
	Efficiencies and risk management consultancy—extended by £15,025 in respect of additional work relating to risk management not included in the original agreement.

Counterfeit Goods

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what the estimated total revenue loss was as a result of illegal trading in  (a) cigarettes,  (b) spirits,  (c) diesel,  (d) petrol and  (e) counterfeit goods in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the size of the illicit market for  (a) cigarettes,  (b) spirits,  (c) diesel and  (d) petrol in each of the last three years.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The most recent estimates of the size of the illicit market for cigarettes, spirits and oils (diesel and petrol), are reported in "Measuring Indirect Tax Losses—2005", published alongside the PBR 2005 which can be found in the House of Commons Library.
	The proportion of all cigarettes seized that were counterfeit is published in Table 21 a on p94 of the HMRC Annual Report 2004-05.

Departmental Staff

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department recognises the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment.

David Hanson: The Department of Finance and Personnel's Recruitment Service, which has responsibility for external recruitment to the Northern Ireland Civil Service, fully recognises the International General Certificate of Secondary Education as an acceptable substitute for the General Certificate of Secondary Education.

Education (Northern Ireland) Order

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his statement of 16 October 2006,  Official Report, column 595, on Northern Ireland, whether he plans to postpone the implementation of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 until after 26 March 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The Government do not intend to postpone the implementation of the generality of provisions in the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, many of which are already in force. On the issue of academic selection, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1545W.

First Aid

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the merits of children learning first aid skills; what first aid training schoolchildren in Northern Ireland receive; and what plans he has to increase the first aid training available in schools in Northern Ireland.

Maria Eagle: The Department of Education recognises the importance for children of acquiring basic first aid skills from an early age. First aid is therefore included in both the former and revised statutory curriculum. It will continue to be taught at primary and post-primary level and provision is made for its delivery through personal development. By the end of Key Stage 3 pupils should have developed an awareness of emergency first aid procedures and have the understanding and skills to develop preventative strategies in relation to accidents in the home, school and on the road.

Government Social Research Service

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of the Government Social Research Service in his Department in each of the last five years; how many projects have been completed by the Service in that period; and how many people are employed in the Service in his Department.

David Hanson: Social Research services within Government in Northern Ireland are delivered together with Statistical Services by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). Full details of the finances, staffing and activities of NISRA are published in the Annual Report and Accounts of the Agency and are laid before Parliament. The costs and total staff numbers for the last five years are in the table. The Agency does not separately identify the cost of Social Research services and the figures shown exclude costs and staff associated with the registration service provided by the General Register Office (GRO). The number of publications produced by NISRA and noted in the Agency Annual Report for each of the five years is also shown.
	
		
			Staff numbers( 2 ) (excl GRO)  Publications 
			  Cost 000(1 )(excl GRO)  Core staff  Survey interviewers (fee-paid)  Statistical  Research 
			 2005-6 13,137 302 240 148 54 
			 2004-5 11,270 308 187 118 19 
			 2003-4 11,512 307 220 74 10 
			 2002-3 11,004 284 217 74 11 
			 2001-2 11,004 267 179 78 22 
			 (1 )The figures include the salary costs for NISRA staff outposted in Northern Ireland departments and other public bodies. They do not, however, include the costs borne directly by these bodies in support of outposted staff. (2) Staff numbers are on a headcount basis.

Health Service Organisations (Contracts)

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there are plans for a review of the effectiveness of the provision of contracts by legal services for health service organisations.

Paul Goggins: The Department is currently reviewing arrangements for the provision of legal services to HPSS organisations. I hope to make an announcement in the near future on the outcome of that review.

Housing Executive

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any land adjoining Knockdara Park and Shepherds Glen in Derry is owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

David Hanson: The Housing Executive has a reversionary interest in the land in the area which it has leased to the Catholic Church until 2075.

Independent Living (Disabled People)

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to enable independent living among people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's Regional Strategy A Healthier Future (2003-2023), prioritises the promotion of independent living for people with disabilities and the provision of community-based alternatives to institutional care.
	People with a disability assessed as needing a service to enable them to live independently can either accept provision from their local Health and Social Services Trust or commission services independently through direct payments.
	The Department is also in the process of developing a Regional Strategy for People with Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment, which will further promote independent living.
	The Department for Employment and Learning provides a range of services and programmes, including the New Deal for Disabled People, Access to Work and Workable (NI), to assist people with disabilities to find and keep employment.
	In addition to social security benefits in the form of Independent Living Funds, the Department of Social Development (DSD), also jointly sponsors the motability scheme which helps provide transport.

Investigatory Powers Tribunal

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints against the Security Service have been heard by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal since its establishment; in how many of those cases the complaint was upheld; and in how many such cases reasons for  (a) upholding and  (b) rejecting the complaint were given.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	The Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Intelligence Services Commissioner each, in their respective annual reports, give the number of cases that the tribunal has decided. The number is not broken down by category.
	No complaint was upheld. The tribunal does not give reasons in accordance with section 68 (4) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
	The available figures are:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2 October 2000-21 December 2001 71 
			 1 January-31 December 2002 94 
			 1 January-31 December 2003 100 
			 1 January-31 December 2004 115

NHS Staff (Attacks)

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) physical and  (b) verbal attacks on NHS staff have been recorded by (i) the Northern Ireland health boards and (ii) the ambulance service (1) in 2005-06 and (2) so far in 2006-07.

Paul Goggins: The number of recorded physical and verbal incidents for the period requested in board areas is as follows:
	
		
			   1 April 2006-30 September 2006  1 April 2005-31 March 2006 
			   Physical  Verbal  Physical  Verbal 
			 Eastern Board Area 1,077 355 1,999 763 
			 Northern Board Area 421 154 655 275 
			 Southern Board Area 277 171 401 309 
			 Western Board Area (1)570 (2)246 496 406 
			  
			  NI Ambulance Service 
			 Breakdown not available by board area 45 35 38 31 
			 (1) Due to a delay in reporting for some units Foyle trust figures do not include a full month for September. (2) Due to a delay in reporting for some units Foyle trust figures do not include a full month for September.

Nurses

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many student nurses in Northern Ireland have temporarily withdrawn from their courses in each of the last three years; what percentage of the student cohort in each year that figure represents; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The number of student nurses who have temporarily withdrawn from their course in each of the last three years and the corresponding percentage is set out as follows.
	
		
			  Table of temporary withdrawals during last three academic years 1 September to 31 August 
			  Academic year  Number in training  Temporary withdrawals  Percentage of total cohort 
			 2005-06 2,337 180 7.7 
			 2004-05 2,548 88 3.5 
			 2003-04 2,235 63 2.8 
			  Source:  Queens University Belfast, University of Ulster

Plastic Bags

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of plastic bags produced for the local retail sector in each of the last three years; what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of plastic bags; what initiatives his Department is supporting to reduce the number of plastic bags  (a) produced and  (b) handed out; and whether he has plans to introduce a plastic bag levy.

David Cairns: There are no statistics on the number of plastic bags produced or used in Northern Ireland. However, UK figures show UK consumers use an estimated 10 billion plastic bags a year. Plastic bags account for approximately 0.3 per cent. of the domestic waste stream and 0.1 to 1 per cent. of visible litter in the UK.
	The Department of the Environment is committed to a DEFRA-led initiative to produce a UK-wide voluntary code of practice for retailers aimed at reducing the number of plastic and paper bags given to customers. It is hoped that all the major retailers will sign up to the code and agree to set targets for a reduction in the number of disposable bags handed out at the point of sale. The Department also supports a number of other initiatives including Baglady Productions' NEEDabag 2 project which aims to encourage alternatives to plastic bags, promote recycling, encourage people to refuse plastic bags and increase awareness of all issues relating to litter and waste and the Wake up to WasteReduce, Reuse, Recycle campaign aimed at raising consumer awareness of waste management issues and the part each person can play in reducing the amount of waste we produce.
	The UK Government have no plans to introduce a plastic bag levy.

Post Office Card Account

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many payments of each social security benefit are paid by the Social Security Agency into  (a) Post Office Card Accounts and  (b) bank accounts.

David Hanson: The latest figures (September 2006) for the information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Direct payments September 2006 
			  Benefit description  Bank/building society account  Post office card account 
			 Retirement Pensions 329,089 411,216 
			 Carer's Allowance 58,556 53,022 
			 Job Seekers Allowance 35,476 13,701 
			 Training Allowance 5,183 1,256 
			 Disability Living Allowance 109,200 78,635 
			 Income Support 281,717 365,173 
			 Incapacity Benefit 116,090 81,706 
			 Attendance Allowance 60,426 129,540 
			 Social Fund 4,209 3,335 
			 Industrial Injuries Benefit 19,894 15,618

Public Bodies

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on the recruitment process for the  (a) Chief Executive,  (b) Chair and  (c) non-executive board members of (i) Northern Ireland Water Ltd and (ii) Ofreg; and how much has been allocated to the remuneration and incentive package for each post in each organisation.

David Cairns: The information is as follows:
	(i) The recruitment process for the water service chief executive and non-executive board members(1 )cost:
	 (a) Chief Executive: 79,887.
	 (b) and  (c) chair and non-executive directors: 66,900.
	The remuneration for these positions is as follows;
	 (a) The water service chief executive's salary with effect from 1 November 2006 is 157,590. A bonus of up to 20 per cent. of salary is payable based on performance.
	 (b) Chairman: 40,000 per annum.
	 (c) Non-executive directors: 18,000.
	(ii) The recruitment process for the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation (known as Ofreg) cost:
	( a) Chief executive: 63,378.64.
	 (b) Chairman: 71,615.48.
	 (c) Non-executive directors: 29,033.57.
	The remuneration for each post is:
	 (a) Chief executive: 137,944 per annum. (The authority has discretion to award a merit bonus against performance criteria. However as the Chief Executive has recently taken up post this has not yet been considered.)
	 (b) Chairman: 32,032 per annum.
	(c) Non-executive directors: 9,152 per annum.
	(1) Members of the water service board will become members of the board of Northern Ireland Water Limited (NIWL) with effect from 1 April 2007.

Public Housing

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the potential effect of new build public housing on the waiting times for public housing in  (a) Belfast and  (b) Northern Ireland of members of each community background.

David Hanson: All social housing including new build is allocated on the basis of greatest housing need and in accordance with the Common Selection Scheme which was equality proofed and subject to detailed consultation.
	It would not be legal for the Housing Executive under the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, to allocate housing on any other basis than need.
	The Social Housing Development Programme attempts to meet housing need but is constrained in some areas by the lack of suitable development land.

Public Housing

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set targets and a timetable for the elimination of the differential in public housing waiting times between the two communities in  (a) Northern Ireland and  (b) Belfast.

David Hanson: It would be impracticable to set targets or a time scale for the elimination of the differentials in public housing between the two communities. All allocations by the housing executive and registered housing associations are made on the basis of need as determined by the points awarded under the Common Selection Scheme which was equality proofed and subject to detailed consultation. In some areas demand is greater than supply, while in others, the opposite is true and allocations cannot therefore be made within prescribed time scales.
	Research being undertaken by the Affordability Review Group will however include the issue of stabilising low and high demand areas to see what, if anything, can be done.

Racially Motivated Crime

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been convicted of racially-motivated crimes in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years, broken down by  (a) district command unit and  (b) council district.

David Hanson: At present background information in relation to the commission of an offence is not included in the court sentencing data, and it is not therefore possible to produce information on convictions for crimes with a racially motivated background. I anticipate however that such information will become available with the development of the Causeway information system.

Roads Service

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total expenditure by the Roads Service on roads maintenance in Northern Ireland was in each of the last five years, broken down by district council area.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 30 October 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding what the total expenditure by the Roads Service on roads' maintenance in Northern Ireland was in each of the last five years, broken down by district council area.
	I have been asked to reply as these issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	The table attached at Annex 1 shows the total expenditure incurred by Roads Service on maintenance activities during the period 2001-02 to 2005-06 broken down by district council area.
	I hope this information is helpful.
	
		
			  Annex 1: Roads Service maintenance expenditure from 2001-02 to 2005-06 
			  000 
			  District council  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Antrim 3,571 3,863 4,976 3,913 4,217 
			 Ballymena 4,350 4,011 5,354 5,020 5,493 
			 Carrickfergus 1,846 1,646 1,536 1,325 2,548 
			 Larne 1,907 2,205 2,432 2,316 2,632 
			 Magherafelt 2,107 2,668 3,449 3,029 3,424 
			 Belfast 13,496 14,517 14,895 15,123 14,914 
			 Castlereagh 2,519 2,183 2,327 2,178 3,251 
			 Newtownabbey 3,011 3,607 3,513 3,676 2,548 
			 Ballymoney 1,986 2,590 2,768 2,442 2,410 
			 Coleraine 3,723 3,740 5,167 3,960 3,327 
			 Limavady 2,331 2,636 3,555 3,156 2,847 
			 Londonderry 5, 745 7,290 6,067 5,655 5,324 
			 Moyle 1,114 1,448 1,808 1,835 2,111 
			 Armagh 4,359 4,542 5,482 5,863 4,756 
			 Banbridge 2,813 3,586 4,008 3,690 4,491 
			 Craigavon 4,050 4,991 5,258 5,380 4,135 
			 Newry and Mourne 5,456 5,256 7,069 7,567 7,376 
			 Ards 3,087 3,216 3,547 3,661 6,181 
			 Down 4,366 4,641 5,089 5,042 3,476 
			 Lisburn 5,141 6,225 7,081 7,369 6,375 
			 North Down 2,695 4,068 4,002 2,409 4,247 
			 Cookstown 2,328 2,600 3,282 3,026 2,605 
			 Dungannon 4,384 4,985 7,038 5,397 5,395 
			 Fermanagh 4,911 5,822 7,461 6,809 6,142 
			 Omagh 5,291 5,779 7,048 6,173 6,004 
			 Strabane 4,044 4,357 4,829 5,312 4,758 
			 Overall total 100,631 112,472 129,041 121,326 120,987 
		
	
	Maintenance expenditure includes all maintenance costs e.g. structural maintenance (includes resurfacing, reconstruction, surface dressing, patching etc.), routine maintenance (grassing, cutting, gully emptying and environmental work), traffic management, street lighting and car park maintenance costs.

Roads Service

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were employed by the DRD Roads Service in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, broken down by grade.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 20 October 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding how many people were employed by the DRD Roads Service in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, broken down by grade.
	I have been asked to reply as these issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	The tables attached at Annex 1 detail the number of industrial and non-industrial Roads Service staff employed in each of the last five years.
	I hope this information is helpful.
	
		
			  Annex 1: Non industrial staff (permanent) 
			   Staff in post as at April: 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  Admin  
			 Chief Executive 2 1 1 1 1 
			 Director (G5) 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Principal Officer (G7) 5 8 9 9 10 
			 Deputy Principal 25 24 27 27 28 
			 Staff Officer 32 36 40 39 42 
			 Executive Officer I 38 46 46 54 53 
			 Executive Officer II 51 53 62 65 63 
			 Admin. Officer 173 184 181 180 181 
			 Admin. Assistant 90 86 94 91 93 
			 Sub total 418 440 462 468 473 
			   
			  Professional and Technical  
			 Director 2 2 2 2 2 
			 DRM eastern (G5) 1 1 1 1 0 
			 DDRM eastern (G6) 0 0 1 1 1 
			 Head of Bus Unit (G6) 3 4 4 4 4 
			 DRM (G6) 0 4 3 3 3 
			 PPTO 36 38 40 39 36 
			 SPTO 102 108 112 113 116 
			 HPTO 177 190 212 213 202 
			 Graduate Trainee 17 17 15 10 7 
			 PTO 344 335 349 392 415 
			 TCEA 26 24 31 19 8 
			 Tech Grade 1 Trainee 9 20 14 1 0 
			 Tech Grade 1 20 26 36 34 44 
			 Tech Grade 1 (DOA) 9 6 6 6 6 
			 Tech Grade 2 0 182 230 227 232 
			 Tech Grade 2 (Tracer) 2 2 2 2 2 
			 COW 7 6 6 0 0 
			 Sub total 755 965 1,064 1,067 1,078 
			   
			  Support  
			 Typing Manager 4 3 3 2 2 
			 Personal Secretary 12 13 13 13 12 
			 Typist 36 35 34 32 31 
			 Supt Office Manager 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Ass Supt Office Man. 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Supt Manager 3 1 1 1 1 0 
			   
			 SGB1 2 2 2 2 2 
			 SGB2 26 26 23 22 25 
			 Sub total 83 82 78 74 74 
			   
			 Total 1,256 (1)1,487 1,604 1,609 1,625 
			 (1) A total of 191 posts were re-graded from industrial to non-industrial staff in April 2003 for operational reasons. 
		
	
	
		
			  Non industrial staff (temporary) 
			   Staff in post as at April: 
			  Admin  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Administrative Assistant 17 6 3 4 5 
			 Professional and Technical 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Support 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 17 6 3 4 5 
		
	
	
		
			  Industrial staff 
			   Staff in post as at April: 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Craft 73 57 48 51 47 
			 Non craft 865 685 655 612 632 
			 Total 938 742 703 663 678

School Bullying

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1375W, on school bullying, to what system of written referrals the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Northern Ireland Office referred in the answer of 21 July 2005,  Official Report, column 1988W, on school bullying.

Maria Eagle: As with any educational matter, individuals may write to the Department if they feel that a school has not adequately dealt with their complaint about a bullying incident. These letters or emails are recorded as individual cases. The information referred to in answer of 21 July 2005 was about these cases. There were three cases in the school year 2005-06.

Service Improvement Programme

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recommendations by the service improvement programme within the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety have been  (a) made and  (b) implemented.

Paul Goggins: The service improvement programme within the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was established in 2003 to engage multi-professional teams from all sectors of health and personal social service in service redesign work to improve the quality and accessibility of services for patients and clients.
	Between 2003 and 2006, three programmes helped almost 100 clinical teams across Northern Ireland to apply analytical techniques that resulted in an improved service and reduced waiting times for patients and clients.
	The support and facilitation provided by the service improvement programme has been pivotal in encouraging and motivating teams to test new ideas and use a structured process to plan, test, measure and implement changes to their services.
	A range of publications, called Tried Tested Shared, outlining the work of these teams is available and a website with learning material, full project descriptions and useful links is accessible through the HPSS intranet as a resource to staff.

St. John's Home (Downpatrick)

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the bed occupancy was of St. Johns Home, Downpatrick in its various incarnations over the past five years.

Paul Goggins: The bed occupancy rate of St. John's House, Downpatrick over the last five years is presented in the following table:
	
		
			   Bed occupancy (percentage) 
			 2001-02 87 
			 2002-03 91 
			 2003-04 89 
			 2004-05 92 
			 2005-06 82 
			  Note: These figures exclude permanent residents in hospital.

Tourism (Fishing)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have accessed the DCAL angling website; and what estimate is made of the number of additional tourists who have visited Northern Ireland as a result of visiting the website and the additional money spent in Northern Ireland by (i) tourists and (ii) local anglers as a result of visiting the site.

Maria Eagle: There have been 30,775 hits on the DCAL angling website since it was launched in August 2005 with 21,203 (68.9 per cent.) hits from outside the United Kingdom.
	It is not possible to estimate the number of additional anglers who have visited Northern Ireland as a result of visiting the website or the amount of additional money spent in Northern Ireland by tourists or local anglers.

Water Charges/Service

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received on pegging the Northern Ireland water charge to the English and Welsh average; and when pegging will be removed.

David Cairns: During the consultation on the Draft Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order which ended on 24 August 2006 both the Consumer Council and the Democratic Unionist Party made reference to the need to ensure that average water charges should be no higher than the average in England and Wales.
	From 1 April 2010 domestic tariffs will be set by the Economic Regulator following its 2009 Periodic Price Review. The Government consider it would be inappropriate to pre-empt the outcome of this review.

Water Charges/Service

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent each year by the Water Service on performance-related pay (PRP) awards since 2001; what proportion, on average, PRP represented of total salary for those in receipt of it in 2005-06; and what estimate he has made of the cost of PRP in each year up to 2010.

David Cairns: The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Decisions on remuneration arrangements for the staff of the new Company, Northern Ireland Water Limited, in the period from 2007-08 to 2009-10 will not be taken until later this year.

Water/Sewerage Company

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how financial surpluses arising from the planned Government-owned company to deliver water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland will be distributed; where the channels and beneficiaries of such surpluses will be defined; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: Final decisions in relation to the financial arrangements pertaining to the new company have not yet been taken. Surpluses will be retained by the company in the first instance. As the company is wholly owned by Government, such surpluses will benefit the taxpayer and/or the customer.

Water/Sewerage Company

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what efficiency targets on  (a) operating costs and  (b) capital costs the planned Government-owned water and sewerage company in Northern Ireland will be required to meet.

David Cairns: The Department has set preliminary efficiency targets for the purposes of preparing a Strategic Business Plan for Northern Ireland Water Limited covering the period from 2007-08 to 2009-10. However the actual efficiency targets that will be required to be met have not yet been agreed. These will be finalised as part of the Strategic Business Plan for the new company which will be subject to the approval of the Department for Regional Development later this year.

Water/Sewerage Company

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are in place to prevent financial disbenefits falling on customers should the planned Government-owned water and sewerage company not meet efficiency targets.

David Cairns: Water and sewerage tariffs will initially be set by the Department for Regional Development (DRD) for the period from 2007-08 to 2009-10. Shaun Woodward, the then Minister with responsibility for regional development announced in a written ministerial statement on 8 December 2005, which can be viewed in full by accessing http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo051208/wmsindx/51208-x.htm, that for the period to 2009-10 average household bills would be in line with England and Wales average household bills. Thereafter it will be the responsibility of the Economic Regulator to set tariffs in common with practice in Great Britain. Beyond 2010 therefore, the Regulator will set price limits based on demanding efficiency assumptions. The Company will be incentivised to keep its running costs and the costs of maintaining assets to a minimum and to use cost-effective solutions to achieve outputs.
	The company will be required to pay a dividend to DRD as its shareholder to reflect the cost of the taxpayer's investment in it. If a failure to meet an efficiency target reduces the company's ability to pay the dividend to DRD (either in whole or in part), the amount not paid must be covered in the first instance from DRD's budget and not by customers.

Water/Sewerage Company

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the resources arising from any asset disposal by the planned Government-owned water and sewerage company in Northern Ireland will be allocated; and under what authority this will be accomplished.

David Cairns: The Department is currently developing a draft licence under which the company will operate. The terms of the licence will determine how any proceeds from the disposal of land will be allocated. The draft licence will be issued for public consultation later this year. The licence will not, however, deal with the disposal of other assets such as vehicles and plant and it will be for the company to decide how such proceeds should be allocated.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

A-levels

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils studied for an A-level in  (a) physics,  (b) biology,  (c) chemistry and  (d) mathematics in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Information on the numbers studying A-levels is not available centrally. The available information relates to those entered for examinations. The number of A-level entries by 16 to 18-year-olds in East Riding of Yorkshire for each requested subject is given in the following table.
	
		
			   Subject 
			   Biological sciences  Chemistry  Physics  Mathematics 
			 1996 263 218 150 270 
			 1997 290 227 167 317 
			 1998 243 186 145 284 
			 1999 278 214 180 310 
			 2000 247 194 175 324 
			 2001 245 180 165 308 
			 2002 280 168 154 220 
			 2003 256 160 155 251 
			 2004 223 158 126 243 
			 2005 244 171 147 250 
			 2006(1) 266 147 134 277 
			 (1) Provisional   Notes:  1. Figures for 2006 are provisional and may be subject to change.  2. Numbers entered for mathematics includes entries in further mathematics.

A-levels

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many hours on average A-level school pupils spend sitting examinations over their school career.

Jim Knight: The Department does not hold information on the number of hours A level pupils spend sitting examinations over their school career.

A-levels

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in England who enrolled for an A level qualification in the 2003-04 academic year did not achieve an A level qualification in 2005-06.

Jim Knight: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The Department does not hold the information required to answer the question.

Church Mead Junior School, Leyton

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the outcome was of the bid to his Department by Church Mead Junior School, Leyton  (a) to become a fresh start school and  (b) for capital spending.

Jim Knight: My officials met with Waltham Forest local authority and its partner, EduAction, on a number of occasions to discuss Fresh Start proposals for Church Mead Junior School. During these discussions Ofsted visited the school and noted it had made satisfactory progress since it was placed in special measures and good progress since the previous monitoring inspection. It was not, therefore, a strong candidate for a Fresh Start, which is normally reserved for intractable cases of failure. Although the school could not be supported with additional Fresh Start funding under the programme's criteria, the local authority took the decision to close the school in August 2006 and it reopened as Willow Brook Primary in September with a new head teacher.
	However, under the London Challenge programme, Waltham Forest LA received 250,000 revenue funding in 2006-07. This was to secure radical improvements in achievement at six persistently low attaining primary schools in the authority. We understand the authority has allocated some of this funding to Willow Brook School.

Departmental Contracts

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which contracts were awarded by his Department to Capita in each year from 2000-01 to 2005-06; what the cost was of each contract; what penalties for default were imposed on contract provisions; what the length was of each contract; and what provision was made for renewal without re-tender in each case.

Jim Knight: holding answer 26 October 2006
	A complete answer to this question could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. I can tell the hon. Gentleman, however, that the Department let the following major contracts to Capita in the years 2000-01 to 2005-06:
	
		
			  Contract  Year let  Contract length (year)  Contract value ( million) 
			 Individual Learning Accounts 2000-01 (1)5 55 
			 Connexions Card 2001-02 (2)6 109 
			 Education Maintenance Allowances 2003-04 (3)5 48 
			 Teachers' Pensions 2003-04 7 61 
			 London Challenge 2004-05 1 1 
			 National Strategies 2005-06 5 180 
			 (1) Terminated October 2002.  (2) Terminated August 2006.  (3) Contract novated to Learning and Skills Council April 2005. 
		
	
	No contract has penalties for default as 'penalties' are not enforceable under English law. There are however a range of complex incentive mechanisms in operation.
	While some of these contracts have an in-built optional extension period as part of the original contract, no contracts will be renewed without re-tender.

Departmental Contracts

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the date of commencement is of each contract awarded to Capita for the operation of the school improvement partner initiative; what tendering process was followed; how many companies were short-listed; and what arrangements are in place for external scrutiny of the tendering and outcome processes.

Jim Knight: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The National Strategies contract went live on 1 April 2005, following a rigorous procurement process which conformed to Government procurement guidelines. Six companies tendered for the National Strategies contract of which two were short listed. The contract was awarded to Capita on 1 September 2004.
	The service requirements for the National Strategies contract were designed to deliver across a wide range of school improvement services, including the emerging SIP initiatives. Separate tendering processes were not required for each principal element of the SIPs programme.
	The procurement process was scrutinised by the Department's internal audit and legal advisers, and as a mission critical programme went through rigorous external scrutiny by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) gateway process.

Disability Equality

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what  (a) information gathering and  (b) other actions his Department is taking to inform the production of the report on progress towards disability equality within the education and skills policy sectors.

Jim Knight: The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 imposes a legal duty upon public authorities to look proactively at ways of ensuring that disabled people are treated equally. Furthermore the Act also requires certain Secretaries of State to publish a report by December 2008 which:
	Gives an overview of progress made by public authorities operating in the relevant policy sector towards equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people; and
	Sets out the proposals for the coordination of action by public authorities operating in that sector so as to bring about further progress towards equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people.
	Policy officials are currently in the process of preparing my Department's first Disability Equality Scheme which, in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, will be published on 4 December 2006. Furthermore training and awareness-raising within the Department have included information about both the Department's own Disability Equality Scheme and the Secretary of State's report upon the children's, education and skills sectors due to be published in 2008. We are beginning work to collect information across the sectors for which the Secretary of State is responsible to inform the latter report.

Education Funding

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether local education authorities are given guidelines from central Government on how to divide funds between schools within their remit.

Jim Knight: Section 47 of the School Standards and Framework Act enables the Secretary of State to make regulations governing the way in which local authorities must, and in some cases may, distribute funding to the schools they maintain. The most recent set of these regulations is the School Finance (England) Regulations 2006. The mixture of prescription and discretion within these regulations enables each local authority to tailor their distribution mechanism to the needs and circumstances of their schools.
	In addition to the core funding a school receives via its local authority's distribution mechanism the Department also makes available a number of other grants to schools. The distribution mechanism of these grants is, in the main, determined by the Department.

Education Funding

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what grants are available to secondary schools within the Havering Local Education Authority area for refurbishment of information technology facilities;
	(2)  what grants are available to  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools within the Havering Local Education Authority area with regards to refurbishment of information technology facilities;
	(3)  what grants are available to local education authorities for the refurbishment of information technology facilities.

Jim Knight: There are no grants specifically for the refurbishment of information and communications technology facilities. Schools (both primary and secondary) and local authorities can choose to use their Devolved Formula Capital Grant, School Development Grant or Connectivity and Learning Systems Grant for refurbishment, if they so wish, taking into account their local needs and priorities.

Education Funding

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much capital investment his Department  (a) made in schools in 2005-06 and  (b) plans to make in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; how many new schools  (A) were built in 2005-06 and  (B) are planned for (1) 2006-07 and (2) 2007-08 under the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Jim Knight: Capital allocations from the Department for schools in 2005-06 were 5.5 billion. They are planned to be 5.9 billion and 6.4 billion in 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively. Capital investment at local authority level will also be affected by expenditure timing differences and resources that may be available locally.
	The Building Schools for the Future programme has, currently, 38 active local authority projects. These cover the building or complete refurbishment of approximately 360 secondary schools. Progress reports from the commissioning local authorities show that the first schools are planned to open in September 2007.

Education Funding

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils who received the Education Maintenance Allowance did not gain an A-level qualification in each year since 2004.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 26 October 2006
	EMA was only rolled out nationally from September 2004. It will soon be possible to investigate the impact of the national roll-out of EMA on attainment up to level 3 (A levels and equivalent), as many of that first 16 year old cohort have now gained qualifications. Their first major set of qualifications results will be available in December 2006 and the LSC will commission analysis of the achievement data at this pointthe results are expected in summer 2007.

Exclusions

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have been excluded permanently from schools in Suffolk in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		
			  Maintained primary, secondary and special schools: number and percentage of permanent exclusions 1997/98 to 2004/05 Suffolk local authority area 
			   Permanent exclusions 
			   Primary schools  Secondary schools  Special schools  Total ( 1) 
			   Number  Percentage( 2)  Number  Percentage( 2)  Number  Percentage( 2)  Number  Percentage 
			 1997/98 13 0.03 104 0.21 12 1.38 130 0.13 
			 1998/99 18 0.04 106 0.21 0 0.00 120 0.12 
			 1999/2000 23 0.05 77 0.15 0 0.00 100 0.10 
			 2000/01 (3) 13 0.03 133 0.25 (4) (4) 150 0.14 
			 2001/02 (3) 26 0.05 135 0.25 0 0.00 160 0.16 
			 2002/03 (3) 22 0.05 126 0.23 (4) (4) 150 0.15 
			 2003/04 (3) 32 0.07 161 0.30 (4) (4) 200 0.19 
			 2004/05 (3) 20 0.04 126 0.23 (4) (4) 150 0.15 
			 (1) Totals across all school types have been rounded to the nearest 10. (2) The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the school population. (3) Figures are as confirmed by local authorities via the data checking exercise. (4) 1 or 2 exclusions or a rate based on 1 or 2 exclusions.  Source:  Schools' Census

Faith Schools

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many faith schools there are in  (a) Romford,  (b) Havering and  (c) all London boroughs.

Jim Knight: The requested information for Romford parliamentary constituency is given in the table.
	
		
			  Maintained primary and secondary schools( 1) : number of schools by religious character, January 2006, Romford parliamentary constituency 
			   Maintained primary  Maintained secondary 
			 No religious character 19 3 
			 Church of England 2 1 
			 Roman Catholic 2 1 
			 Methodist 0 0 
			 Other Christian faith(2) 0 0 
			 Jewish 0 0 
			 Muslim 0 0 
			 Sikh 0 0 
			 Other 0 0 
			 Total 23 5 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes schools of mixed denomination and other Christian beliefs.  Source: Schools' Census and EduBase 
		
	
	The same information for each local authority area has been placed in the Library.

Faith Schools

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of students in faith schools in  (a) Romford,  (b) Havering and  (c) all London boroughs are not of the school's faith.

Jim Knight: The requested information is not collected centrally.

Faith Schools

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many applications for the establishment of voluntary aided Muslim faith schools are being considered.

Jim Knight: Proposals for new schools, including faith schools, are decided locally. The Secretary of State plays no part in the decision process.
	We have been informed of one proposal to establish a new maintained Muslim school that has not yet been decided. Proposals were published on 28 July 2006 by the trustees of the independent Bolton Muslim girls school to establish the school as a maintained secondary school with effect from 1 September 2007. We understand that the proposals will be considered by Bolton School Organisation Committee shortly.

First Aid

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will introduce first aid training into the school curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: There is scope in the non-statutory personal social and health education framework for schools to explore safety and emergency procedures as part of the curriculum. At key stage 3, the framework suggests pupils should be taught basic emergency procedures and where to get help and support. At key stage 4 pupils should be taught to develop skills to cope with emergency situations that require basic aid procedures, including resuscitation techniques.
	As personal social and health education is non-statutory, the implementation of the subject is decided by schools on an individual basis.

Foreign Languages

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which foreign languages are taught at each school in Easington constituency.

Jim Knight: The Department does not collect such information and cannot therefore give information specific to Easington. All primary schools are able to offer language learning programmes for which they have access to expertise.
	At Key Stage 3, language learning is compulsory. Schools must first offer language courses in one or more of the official working languages of the European Union. Once this offer has been made schools can offer courses in any other modern foreign language.
	At Key Stage 4, where compulsion was replaced by a statutory entitlement in September 2004, schools must provide access to at least one course in an official working language of the European Union. Schools may in addition offer courses in any other modern foreign language that lead to approved qualifications.

Fostering

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in England are being fostered under private arrangements.

Parmjit Dhanda: The most recent figures show that at 31 March 2005 about 730 children were reported to be cared for or accommodated in private fostering arrangements.

Further Education

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his policy is on the publication of post-16 examination results in institutions of further education disaggregated by franchisee.

Jim Knight: holding answer 23 October 2006
	There are two main routes by which we publish post-16 attainment results at institutional level. These are the achievement and attainment tables (AAT) for 16, 17 and 18-year-olds and the further education benchmarking data published by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
	The post-16 achievement and attainment tables provide information on the achievement and attainment of sixth-form students in their local secondary schools and further education sector colleges, and how they compare with other schools and colleges in the area and in England as a whole. The tables report the achievement of 16, 17 and 18-year-olds that have completed advanced level studies. Students are reported against the institution where they are on roll.
	Each entry in the forthcoming 2006 tables will provide information about the achievement and attainment of students over the 2004/05 and 2005/06 academic years in general and vocational A and AS level examinations and equivalent level 3 qualifications. The most recently published tables for 2005 cover the 2003/04 and 2004/05 academic years and are published by DfES through the following web-link:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables/16to18_05.shtml
	In addition the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) publish figures for individual further education institutions on their website, including further education colleges, sixth-form colleges, specialist designated colleges and external institutions. The data cover learners of all ages.
	Figures relating to retention, achievement and overall success rates are published for every institution broken down by demographic groups such as age, gender, ethnicity and disability status.
	The LSC also publish institution level retention, achievement and success rates that differentiate between courses based on their sector subject area (e.g. social sciences vs. arts, media and publishing), length of course, and for those courses that last more than 24 weeks the level of the course in terms of NVQ equivalence.
	The most recently published results cover learners who were expected to complete their courses in 2002/03, 2003/04 and 2004/05 and available at the following website:
	http://www.lsc.gov.uk/National/Partners/Data/Statistics/LearnerStatistics/LearningAimOutcomes/FESuccessRates/lnst_Level_Data.htm

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of  (a) 15-year-olds and  (b) pupils at the end of the fourth key stage who achieved five or more GCSEs at A* to C also achieved A* to C in (i) mathematics, (ii) English, (iii) science, (iv) a modern foreign language, (v) English and mathematics, (vi) English, mathematics and science, (vii) English, mathematics, science and a modern foreign language in 2006.

Jim Knight: The information is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Pupils obtaining 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE or equivalent including the following subjects 
			   15 year old  End KS4 
			Percentage   Percentage 
			   Number  Of cohort  Of those obtaining 5+ A*-C  Number  Of cohort  Of those obtaining 5+ A*-C 
			 5+ A*-C 377,832 58.1 100.0 380,568 59.0 100.0 
			 Mathematics 315,475 48.5 83.5 317,836 49.3 83.5 
			 English 338,249 52.0 89.5 340,466 52.8 89.5 
			 Science 306,752 47.2 81.2 309,252 48.0 81.3 
			 Modern foreign language 197,461 30.4 52.3 199,278 30.9 52.4 
			 English and mathematics 293,154 45.1 77.6 294,982 45.8 77.5 
			 English, mathematics and science 262,718 40.4 69.5 264,410 41.0 69.5 
			 English, mathematics, science and modern foreign language 167,046 25.7 44.2 168,145 26.1 44.2

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of  (a) 15-year-olds and  (b) pupils at the end of the fourth key stage sat GCSEs in (i) chemistry, (ii) biology, (iii) physics and (iv) chemistry, biology and physics in each year since 1996.

Jim Knight: The information is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  15-year-old pupils 
			   2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001 
			 Number of 15-year-old pupils 649,905 636,771 643,560 622,122 606,554 603,318 
			 Attempts in physics 47,948 44,678 42,501 40,064 38,640 38,455 
			 Percentage attempting physics 7.4 7.0 6.6 6.4 6.4 6.4 
			 Attempts in chemistry 48,383 45,144 43,073 40,865 39,067 38,797 
			 Percentage attempting chemistry 7.4 7.1 6.7 6.6 6.4 6.4 
			 Attempts in biology 50,860 47,485 44,758 42,623 40,526 40,456 
			 Percentage attempting biology 7.8 7.5 7.0 6.9 6.7 6.7 
			 Attempts in physics, chemistry and biology 45,572 42,329 40,250 37,836 36,223 35,906 
			 Percentage attempting physics, chemistry and biology 7.0 6.6 6.3 6.1 6.0 6.0 
		
	
	
		
			   2000  1999  1998  1997  1996 
			 Number of 15-year-old pupils 580,393 580,972 575,210 586,766 594,035 
			 Attempts in physics 37,532 37,205 36,205 34,541 35,727 
			 Percentage attempting physics 6.5 6.4 6.3 5.9 6.0 
			 Attempts in chemistry 37,699 37,640 36,544 35,154 36,279 
			 Percentage attempting chemistry 6.5 6.5 6.4 6.0 6.1 
			 Attempts in biology 39,376 38,785 37,890 36,641 37,576 
			 Percentage attempting biology 6.8 6.7 6.6 6.2 6.3 
			 Attempts in physics, chemistry and biology 34,820 34,381 33,286 31,567 32,261 
			 Percentage attempting physics, chemistry and biology 6.0 5.9 5.8 5.4 5.4 
		
	
	
		
			  Pupils at the end of key stage 4 
			   2006  2005 
			 Number of pupils at the end of key stage 4 644,658 633,414 
			 Attempts in physics 48,752 45,437 
			 Percentage attempting physics 7.6 7.2 
			 Attempts in chemistry 49,217 45,929 
			 Percentage attempting chemistry 7.6 7.3 
			 Attempts in biology 51,758 48,347 
			 Percentage attempting biology 8.0 7.6 
			 Attempts in physics, chemistry and biology 46,359 43,032 
			 Percentage attempting physics, chemistry and biology 7.2 6.8

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils from independent schools achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and mathematics in each year since 1996.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the percentage of 15-year-old pupils in independent schools achieving five or more GCSEs or equivalents at grades A* to C including English and mathematics.
	
		
			  Independent school pupils achieving 5+ A*-C at GCSE or equivalent including English and mathematics 
			   Percentage 
			 1996 75.7 
			 1997 75.8 
			 1998 75.9 
			 1999 82.5 
			 2000 83.2 
			 2001 83.0 
			 2002 78.5 
			 2003 77.8 
			 2004 76.7 
			 2005 73.9 
			 2006 68.3 
			  Note: Data for 2006 are provisional. Data for all other years are final.

GCSEs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils achieved seven or more GCSEs at A* to C in each year since 1996.

Jim Knight: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Number and percentage of 15-year-old pupils( 1)  achieving the following GCSEs or equivalents 
			   7 or more A*-C grades 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 1996 175,509 34.1 
			 1997 177,338 34.8 
			 1998 178,848 35.3 
			 1999 190,776 33.5 
			 2000 196,402 34.7 
			 2001 245,460 39.5 
			 2002 255,352 40.7 
			 2003 269,471 42.9 
			 2004 283,863 43.8 
			 2005 296,889 46.6 
			 2006 313,648 48.3 
			 (1 )Aged 15 at the start of the academic year i.e. 31 August.

Graduate Employment

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions he has had with university vice-chancellors on improving the employment prospects of graduates.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 24 October 2006
	Such issues arise regularly in the many conversations that both the Secretary of State and I have with colleagues in the higher education sector.
	Most recently graduate employability was also included in wider discussions on a visit to Cambridge University on 6 September, Liverpool John Moores University on 10 October and in a speech the Secretary of State recently gave to Vice Chancellors at the Universities UK conference in Exeter on 14 September 2006.
	Both the Secretary of State and I continue to encourage and support developments in the HE sector that help UK graduates compete effectively in the domestic and global employment market. These include the inclusion in degree programmes of elements of work-based learning and high-level world of work skills such as business awareness and negotiation. My response to my hon. Friend's question, 25 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 1913-14W, contains some relevant examples of this.

International GCSE

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in maintained schools sat the International GCSE examination in English in 2006.

Jim Knight: The Department does not collect data on the number of pupils taking International GCSE examinations.

Mature Students

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of mature students born before 1979 undertaking a foundation degree who now require a GCSE or equivalent in science to apply to enter the teaching profession; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We do not have information on those undertaking a foundation degree who intend to apply to enter the teaching profession and do not hold a GCSE or equivalent in science.

Nursery Education

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what advice has been given to education authorities on the level of grants they should provide to private sector providers of nursery education; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Local authorities receive funding for all pre-16 provision through the dedicated schools grant (DSG). This is a ring-fenced DfES grant provided to local authorities to fund educational provision in all types of setting, including private, voluntary and independent settings offering free early education.
	Local authorities are responsible for deciding how best to apply the funding across different age groups and between different types of provider taking account of local needs and circumstances. The Code of Practice on the Provision of Free Nursery Education places for Three and Four-Year-Olds makes clear that local authorities should fund all providers delivering the free early education entitlement equitably, fairly and transparently.

Partially Selective Schools

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1565W, on partially selective schools, if he will list the 38 schools to which he refers.

Jim Knight: Further to the answer of 23 October, I attach a list of 38 schools we are aware of which operate forms of 'pre-existing' partial selection that it would not now be lawful to introduce. This is not a definitive list as admission arrangements are determined locally and we do not collate information on every school.
	
		
			  Local authority  School 
			 Barnet Mill Hill School 
			   
			 Bexley Erith School 
			   
			 Buckinghamshire Waddesdon CE School 
			   
			 Croydon Edenham High School 
			  Riddlesdown High School 
			  Archbishop Lanfranc School 
			  Shirley High School 
			   
			 Dudley Old Swinford Hospital School 
			   
			 Havering Coopers' Company and Coburn School 
			  Sacred Heart of Mary Girls School 
			   
			 Hertfordshire Chancellor's School 
			  Hertfordshire and Essex High School 
			  St Clement Danes School 
			  Queens School 
			  Rickmansworth School 
			  Bishop Stortford High School 
			  Dame Alice Owen's School 
			  Watford Grammar School (Boys) 
			  Watford Grammar School (Girls) 
			  Parmiter's School 
			   
			 Kent Homewood School 
			  Archbishops School 
			  Canterbury High School 
			  Chaucer School 
			  Westlands School 
			   
			 Kingston upon Thames Holy Cross School 
			   
			 Lambeth London Nautical School 
			  Dunraven School 
			   
			 Lancashire Ripley St Thomas CE High School 
			   
			 Lincolnshire Spilsbury King Edward VI School 
			   
			 Liverpool Archbishop Blanch CE High School 
			  St Hilda's CE High School 
			  St Margarets CE High School 
			   
			 Wandsworth Burntwood School 
			  Ernest Bevin School 
			  Chestnut Grove School 
			  Graveney School 
			   
			 Warwickshire Ashlawn School

Performance Monitoring

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what  (a) performance management and  (b) key performance indicators have been put in place to monitor the service quality for the (i) key stage 3 strategy and (ii) strategic improvement partner initiative; and what external scrutiny of each will take place.

Jim Knight: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The services provided by the national strategies, whether as part of the secondary strategy (formerly the key stage 3 strategy) or specific programmes like school improvement partners (SIPs) are set out annually in the national strategies annual plan. The Department has set in place governance arrangements for monitoring the quality and progress of specific programmes set out in the annual plan. The detailed key indicators measuring the performance of the national strategies' contractor are commercially confidential.
	In the case of the SIPs programme, there is a quality assurance framework covering both the initial accreditation and impact of SIPs. This framework together with the progress reports have been shared with all local authorities (LAs) who are responsible for the delivery of the SIPs programme, as well as representatives of the teaching profession who form part of a wider consultative group.
	The Department uses a variety of mechanisms for evaluating quality, progress and impact of the national strategies including: the strategies' own quality assurance processes; Ofsted; the Prime Minister's delivery unit on specific aspects of delivery; and externally commissioned evaluations from research organisations such as the National Foundation for Education Research (NfER).

Pupil Numbers

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils there were in  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in (i) rural and (ii) non-rural areas in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Maintained primary and secondary schools( 1) : number (headcount) of pupils in schools by urban/rural classification as at January each yearEngland 
			   Maintained primary( 1)  Maintained secondary( 1) 
			   Urban( 2,3)  Rural( 2,4)  Unknown( 5)  Total  Urban( 2,3)  Rural( 2,4)  Unknown( 5)  Total 
			 1997 3,695,440 731,570 2,040 4,429,040 2,639,310 401,070 1,200 3,041,580 
			 1998 3,713,190 745,410 2,050 4,460,650 2,664,870 406,700 1,250 3,072,820 
			 1999 3,707,910 751,190 1,070 4,460,170 2,702,510 414,950 4,430 3,121,900 
			 2000 3,682,050 752,940 350 4,435,350 2,755,240 425,320 1,250 3,181,810 
			 2001 3,652,880 752,990 340 4,406,220 2,795,970 434,630 1,240 3,231,830 
			 2002 3,611,780 751,200 360 4,363,340 2,821,070 441,830 1,190 3,264,090 
			 2003 3,560,730 747,950 360 4,309,030 2,856,440 450,410 1,190 3,308,030 
			 2004 3,507,820 744,380 350 4,252,540 2,868,110 455,610 1,230 3,324,950 
			 2005 3,463,500 740,660 340 4,204,500 2,857,480 457,370 1,200 3,316,050 
			 2006 3,416,700 731,810 440 4,148,950 2,846,290 458,510 1,990 3,306,780 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed.  (2) Urban/rural classification for schools is based on the school's current postcode.  (3) Includes schools in urban  10,000 (sparse and less sparse) classifications.  (4) Includes schools in hamlet and isolated dwelling (sparse and less sparse), town and fringe (sparse and less sparse), village (sparse and less sparse) classifications.  (5) School's postcode was invalid and therefore could not be matched to urban/rural classification.   Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown.   Source:  Pupil numbersSchools' Census. Urban/rural classificationDerived from Urban/Rural Classification 2004. Produced in conjunction with The Countryside Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Office of National Statistics and Welsh Assembly Government.

School Buildings

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to promote higher environmental building standards in new schools.

Jim Knight: DfES requires all major new build and refurbishment projects in schools to register with the Building Research Establishment and carry out a BREEAM Schools Environmental Assessment. We expect these projects to achieve a very good or excellent rating using the assessment method. This ensures that all these projects are built to very good environmental standards.

School Meals

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent, in today's prices, on school meals in each of the last 20 years.

Jim Knight: Prior to 2006-07, expenditure data collected by the Department related to total expenditure on the combination of school meals and milk. Consequently, it is not possible to report accurately expenditure on school meals alone. However, in 2006-07 the Department introduced a school meals grant, which was allocated to local authority maintained schools (including nursery schools and pupil referral units). The amount was 28.1 million. Also introduced was a targeted school meals grant which was devolved to schools. The amount was 5.6 million.
	 Notes:
	1. The figures are as reported by local authorities as at 17 October 2006 on their 2006-07 Section 52 Budget Statements (Table 1 lines 1.0.6 and 1.0.7).
	2. Details of how the grants are allocated are set out in the Standards Fund Circular 2006-08 which was issued in December 2005.

School Science Laboratories

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many school science laboratories are designated of a satisfactory standard;
	(2)  what progress he has made on bringing school science laboratories up to a  (a) good and  (b) excellent standard by 2010.

Jim Knight: The Department does not routinely collect information on individual laboratories. However, we are committed to improving accommodation for teaching and learning science.
	Funding for investment in schools is 5.9 billion this year and it will rise to over 8 billion by 2010-11. Much of this funding can be used to improve school laboratories where this is the local priority.
	Building Schools for the Future will in time renew all secondary schools including their science provision. Already about 350 schools have been prioritised in the first three waves, and we aim to include up to a further 600 schools in the next three waves. We also aim to have 200 academies open or in the pipeline by 2010. In all, by 2010 almost a third of all secondary schools will be funded to improve their facilities, including their science laboratories. In the meantime, where there is urgent need, all schools have access to the other funding available including the capital devolved to authorities and to schools.
	We are providing the resources to improve school laboratories where this is the priority. What is now important is to ensure that science facilities in schools are designed to meet curriculum needs and inspire excellent teaching and learning. Project Faraday has been launched to address this need. It will bring together teams of leading designers and educationalists with specialist interest in, and practical knowledge of, the teaching and learning of science to develop a range of exemplar designs by mid 2007. Project Faraday also aims to build a range of science demonstration projects that will provide practical examples of excellent facilities to act as benchmarks and to disseminate the learning. We intend to evaluate the project over a number of years.

Sex Education

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make it his policy to encourage teenagers to abstain from sexual intercourse before the age of 16 years; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: All schools are required by law to have regard to the Department's guidance on 'Sex and Relationship Education' (2000). This guidance clearly states that learning the reasons for delaying sexual activity and the benefits to be gained from such delay should form part of a comprehensive programme of sex and relationship education.

Special Educational Needs

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of mainstream school pupils in  (a) Ribble Valley and  (b) Lancashire have a statement of educational needs.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Mainstream schools: Number and percentage of pupils with statements of SEN( 1) January 2006Ribble Valley parliamentary constituency and Lancashire local authority 
			   Ribble Valley parliamentary constituency  Lancashire local authority 
			Pupils with statements of SEN   Pupils with statements of SEN 
			   Total pupils  Number  Percentage  Total pupils  Number  Percentage 
			 Maintained nursery 94 3 3.2 2,071 30 1.4 
			 Maintained primary(2) 8,398 173 2.1 93,209 2,396 2.6 
			 Maintained secondary(2) 8,810 190 2.2 75,123 2,198 2.9 
			 Total mainstream 17,302 366 2.1 170,403 4,624 2.7 
			 (1) Excludes dually registered pupils. (2) Includes middle schools as deemed.  Source: Schools' Census

Speech and Language Provision

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many local education authorities have strategic partnerships in place with local health authorities for the provision of speech and language provision in  (a) early years and  (b) pre-school settings;
	(2)  what provision is made for children with speech and language difficulties in early years and pre-school settings; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what guidance is issued by his Department on early intervention for children with speech and language difficulties in pre-school settings;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of early intervention for children with speech and language difficulties.

Parmjit Dhanda: Under section 10 of the Children Act 2004 all local authorities and 'relevant partners', including health, are under a duty to improve a child's well-being. This underpins the children's trust approach. Local priorities for action, including speech and language provision, will be informed by a needs assessment which will be carried out in partnership by all involved in the planning process.
	Local authorities themselves have a critical role in co-ordinating, commissioning and brokering services such as speech and language therapy. They develop multi-agency teams to work in partnership through Sure Start Children's Centres, other early years providers and extended schools to respond to the needs of individual children. When a practitioner in an early years setting identifies a child in need of specialist provision, support will be available from the local authority.
	We have put in place various measures to support local authorities and settings to intervene early on speech and language difficulties. These include the following.
	The Joint Planning and Commissioning Framework for Children, Young People, and Maternity Services, published in March 2006, aims to help local partners put in place a unified planning and commissioning system. The framework supports integrated working on improving outcomes and making best use of resources, and will join up services so that children and young people with multiple needs experience a seamless service.
	Early years practice will be delivered through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), a high quality framework for learning and care which all registered settings will be required to work within. It is being developed to allow early years practitioners to meet the individual needs of all children in their care, enabling them to take into account the particular needs of each child. Practitioners must provide relevant, developmental-appropriate learning opportunities and set realistic and challenging expectations that meet the diverse needs of babies and young children.
	Supporting this practice, the Early Support Programmea DFES/RNID led partnership aimed at co-ordinating services for young disabled children or children with SEN aged 0 to 5has also, in partnership with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, developed a wide range of practical resources and training materials that can support the communication needs of children. This is available to local authorities and to settings.
	The Sure Start Children's Centre practice guidance, first issued in November 2005, recognises the importance of speech and languages support, and covers development of this in detail, demonstrating how it improves children's outcomes. We have based the guidance on experiences of centres themselves and evidence highlighted through evaluation and research. The guidance explains the key role children's centres can play in the positive promotion of children's speech and language development, and offers advice and guidance on delivery and good practice.
	Although not focused directly on speech and language, the Early Years Transition and Special Educational Needs (EYTSEN) project, conducted in association with the Effective Practice in Pre-school Education (EPPE) longitudinal study, concluded in 2003 that pre-school provision was an effective intervention for reducing SEN, including communication difficulties, especially for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children. The National Evaluation of Sure Start has been assessing the interventions made by Sure Start Local Programmes on young children's language development. The results of this will be available next year.

Teachers and Teaching Assistants

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many  (a) teachers and  (b) teaching assistants were employed in Lancashire in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) each of the preceding five years.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the full-time equivalent number of teachers and teaching assistants employed in local authority maintained schools in Lancashire local authority in January 2001 to 2006.
	
		
			  Full-time equivalent regular teachers (excluding occasionals) and teaching assistants in local authority maintained schools in Lancashire local authority, January 2001 to 2006 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Teachers(1) 9,710 9,640 9,710 9,920 9,910 9,950 
			 Teaching Assistants(2) 2,190 1,960 3,130 3,300 3,570 3,890 
			 (1) Survey of teachers in service and teacher vacancies, (618g). (2) Annual School Census.  Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

TREASURY

Aggregates Levy

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much revenue has been raised by the aggregates levy in each year since its introduction;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect of the aggregates levy on  (a) the development of alternative materials and  (b) the consumption of virgin aggregates;
	(3)  how many quarries in  (a) Lincolnshire and  (b) the United Kingdom are registered as qualifying to pay the aggregates levy;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the impact of the aggregates levy on the competitiveness of British industry and business.

John Healey: The following table gives aggregates levy receipts in each year since its introduction in April 2002.
	
		
			  Aggregates levy receipts 
			  Financial year   million 
			 2002-03 247 
			 2003-04 339 
			 2004-05 334 
			 2005-06 326 
		
	
	The aggregates levy has been effective in achieving its environmental objectives. Since its introduction, sales of virgin aggregate in Great Britain have reduced significantly, set against a backdrop of strong economic growth and buoyant construction activity, while the production of recycled aggregates has increased.
	The Annual Minerals Raised Inquiry, undertaken by the Office for National Statistics, gives figures for virgin aggregate sales in Great Britain since 2000 as follows:
	
		
			  Sales of virgin aggregate in Great Britain 2000-05 
			   Million tonnes 
			 2000 219.5 
			 2001 222.0 
			 2002 209.3 
			 2003 203.1 
			 2004 213.7 
			 2005 204.3 
		
	
	Data on recycled aggregates in England come from surveys of Arisings and Use of Construction, Demolition and Excavation Waste as Aggregate, commissioned by the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The last survey was run in 2003.
	
		
			  Construction demolition and excavation waste crushed and/or screened for use as aggregate in England 
			   Million tonnes 
			 1999 22.1 
			 2001 36.5 
			 2003 39.6 
		
	
	There are around 730 registrations for aggregates levy. It is not possible to disaggregate this figure into quarries registered in a particular county because many businesses register addresses other than the quarry itself or register one central address covering many separate quarry sites.
	The impact of the aggregates levy on the competitiveness of UK industry is one of the factors taken into account in Budget decisions. The levy's design protects the international competitiveness of UK businesses by taxing imports of virgin aggregate and relieving exports.

Agricultural Taxation

Anne Begg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax revenue accrued to the Exchequer from the UK agricultural sector in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: Comprehensive information is not available.
	Available information is given as follows:
	Income tax and national insurance contributionsrelevant information on income tax and national insurance contributions are available for income tax and class 1 contributions deducted through PAYE. These estimates are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Agriculture, forestry and fishing (SIC 1992 Sections A,B) 
			   PAYE deductions of income tax and class 1 NICs ( billion) 
			 1997-98 0.7 
			 1998-99 0.6 
			 1999-2000 0.7 
			 2000-01 0.6 
			 2001-02 0.6 
			 2002-03 0.7 
			 2003-04 (provisional) 0.8 
		
	
	Corporation taxthe estimates for 2000-01 onwards are published in table 11.7 on the HMRC website. The link is:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/menu.htm.
	The figures for 1997-98 to 1999-2000 are as follows:
	
		
			   Agriculture, forestry and fishing ( million) 
			 1997-98 106 
			 1998-99 86 
			 1999-2000 90 
		
	
	VATMost outputs from the UK agricultural sector fall under the VAT zero rate for food and as such the sector overall receives VAT repayments.
	HMRC does not collect information on excise duties and other taxes attributable to purchases of fuel, alcohol etc. by the agricultural sector.

Birth Certificates

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the acceptability to organisations other than public bodies of the certificates issued at birth; whether he plans to make any changes to their content; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 October 2006:
	As Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what assessment has been made of the acceptability to organisations other than public bodies of the certificates issued at birth; whether he proposes to make any changes to their content. (97510)
	Birth certificates are copies of the information recorded in the birth register and that information is prescribed by regulations. The content of certificates is kept under review, but there are no proposals to make changes at present.

Child Benefit

Gary Streeter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the rules under which nationals of the European Economic Area member states are permitted to claim child benefit for children that do not live in the UK.

Dawn Primarolo: Benefits including child benefit for workers' families is governed by European Community (EC) law, which have been in place since the UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973.

Child Trust Funds (Hendon)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Hendon have taken up child trust funds; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Balls: Latest UK-wide information on the number of Child Trust Fund vouchers issued and the number of accounts opened was published on 29 September 2006 on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_trust_funds/child-trust-funds.htm.
	Constituency level data are not currently available.

Civil Servants

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants his Department employs, broken down by pay band; and what the pay range of each band is.

John Healey: HM Treasury's departmental report (Cm 6830, May 2006) sets out staff numbers by pay range. Report No. 62 of the Review Body on Senior Salaries (Cm 6727, March 2006) sets out salary bands for the senior civil service. Pay ranges for Treasury staff in ranges below these grades are:
	
		
			   
			  Range  Minimum  Normal maximum  High performance maximum 
			 A 13,989 16,378 17,938 
			 B 15,711 19,848 22,550 
			 C 18,752 25,451 26,650 
			 D 23,164 36,402 41,000 
			 E 38,606 55,055 61,500

Cost Benefit Analyses

Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the usefulness of public value as a factor in undertaking cost-benefit analyses; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Cost benefit analysis is a framework for measuring the economic value of a proposal, and the Government's approach is set out in the 'Green Book' guidance on appraisal and evaluation in central government. This guidance allows for consideration of public value in policy making, by encouraging policymakers to consider all benefits and costs, including those that cannot easily be valued.

Currency Exchange

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentage change has been in  (a) the value of the dollar against the pound and  (b) the value of UK investments in US stocks in each of the last three years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 October 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the percentage change has been in (a) the value of the dollar against the pound and (b) the value of UK investments in US stocks in each of the last three years. (97396)
	Information on the sterling/US dollar exchange rate is published monthly in the ONS Financial Statistics publication and is shown in the table below.
	
		
			  US dollar/sterling exchange rate (pound sterling per US dollar), 2001 to 2005 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Annual average 0.694 0.666 0.612 0.546 0.550 
			 Percentage change  -4.2 -8.1 -10.8 0.7 
			 End-year 0.687 0.621 0.559 0.521 0.583 
			 Percentage change  -9.6 -10.1 -6.7 11.8 
			  Source: ONS Financial Statistics. 
		
	
	Information on the value of UK investment in the US is shown in the table below is taken from chapter 10 of the annual Balance of Payment yearbook: The Pink Book. A geographical breakdown of the UK's International Investment Position is available up to 2004 and is consistent with the 2006 edition of the Pink Book.
	
		
			  UK investment in the US (at end of year), 2001 to 2004 
			   billion 
			Of which: 
			   Total investment  Portfolio investment 
			 2001 704.9 222.3 
			 2002 634.1 206.7 
			 2003 783.3 232.8 
			 2004 869.1 276.5 
			
			  Percentage change   
			 2002 -10.1 -7.0 
			 2003 23.5 12.6 
			 2004 10.9 18.8 
			  Source: ONS Pink Book 2006.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 270W, on departmental carbon emissions, what methodology was used to calculate the figure for his Department's carbon emissions.

John Healey: The carbon emissions identified in the Carbon Trust report were calculated by the recognised and established methodology of applying published carbon emission factors to the raw energy consumption figures for 1 Horse Guards Road.

Departmental Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of the refurbishment of the HM Revenue and Customs building on Parliament street.

Dawn Primarolo: This information was published in the 2004-05 annual accounts of the former Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise at notes 4, 13 and 20 for IR, and 4, 12 and 18 for HMCE. The total costs were split between the two departments, being pre-merger, on the basis of staff occupancy numbers.

Departmental IT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of his Department's databases are  (a) wholly and  (b) partly operated by external organisations or individuals; and which organisations and individuals own those databases.

John Healey: All of HM Treasury's databases are owned by HM Treasury, and most of them are operated by HM Treasury's own internal staff. The following, however, are operated wholly by external organisations on behalf of HM Treasury:
	The Treasury's payroll system
	The Treasury's pension system.
	There are none which are operated partially by external organisations.

Departmental IT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which databases operated by his Department are located  (a) wholly and  (b) partly outside the UK; and where each of those databases and parts of databases is located.

John Healey: No databases operated by HM Treasury are located either wholly or partially outside the UK.

Departmental Staff

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department conducts exit surveys for departing employees.

John Healey: The Treasury invites all departing employees to complete an online exit questionnaire, and gives them the option of a face-to-face exit interview if they wish.

Departmental Staff

Nick Gibb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of vacancies in his Department in the last 12 months required candidates to have at least a grade C in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics GCSE.

John Healey: The Treasury uses competency assessments of candidates' abilities when recruiting. Where applicants are required to hold academic qualifications, the Treasury specifies that candidates be educated to degree level.

Departmental Staff

Nick Gibb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department recognises the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment.

John Healey: The Treasury accepts overseas qualifications for recruitment where they are recognised to the same standard as UK qualifications. International GCSEs are an acceptable substitute for a GCSE.

Departmental Travel

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department uses a travel management company.

John Healey: The Treasury does have a travel management contract.

Employment Statistics

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the unemployment rate was for people aged 18 to 24 years in each month since January 1992; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 October 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the unemployment rate for people aged 18 to 24 years in each month since January 1992. (96622)
	The attached table gives estimates of the unemployment rates for 18 to 24 year old people resident in the United Kingdom since May 1992. Comparable estimates are not available for January and February 1992, so the first estimate is for the three month ending period from May 1992.
	Estimates are taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Unemployment rates( 1)  of people aged 18 to 24 yearsUnited Kingdom, seasonally adjusted 
			  Rate (percentage) 
			   Three month periods ending 
			   January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December 
			 1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a 16 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 
			 1993 17 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 17 17 17 17 
			 1994 18 17 17 16 16 17 16 17 16 16 16 16 
			 1995 16 16 16 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 14 
			 1996 15 15 15 15 15 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 
			 1997 14 14 13 13 13 13 14 13 13 13 12 12 
			 1998 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 
			 1999 12 12 12 11 12 12 11 11 11 11 11 11 
			 2000 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 10 10 11 11 11 
			 2001 10 11 10 10 10 10 ' 10 10 10 11 11 11 
			 2002 11 11 11 11 10 10 11 11 11 10 11 10 
			 2003 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 10 10 
			 2004 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 
			 2005 11 11 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 
			 2006 11 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 n/a = not available. (1) Unemployed aged 18 to 24 years as a percentage of economically active persons aged 18 to 24 years.  Source: ONS Labour Force Survey (LFS)

Employment Statistics

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the employment rate was of the cohort of the least qualified UK adults for each year since 1996-97.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 October 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the employment rate for the lowest qualified adults since June 1996. (97322)
	The attached table gives estimates of the employment rates for people in each of the main qualification groups, for the 3 month period ending June each year since 1997. Comparable estimates are not available for 1998 and 2000, and for earlier periods.
	Estimates are taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Employment rates( 1)  for people of working age( 2)  by qualification, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Percentage 
			  Three months ending June each year  Degree or equivalent  Higher education  GCE, A-level or equivalent  GCSE grades A*-C or equivalent  Other qualification( 3)  No qualifications 
			 1997 88 85 77 75 70 52 
			 1999 88 86 78 75 71 50 
			 2001 89 85 79 76 72 50 
			 2002 88 85 78 76 72 50 
			 2003 88 86 78 76 71 50 
			 2004 88 85 78 75 72 49 
			 2005 88 85 78 75 71 48 
			 2006 88 85 78 74 71 47 
			 (1) Total in employment with the relevant qualification as a percentage of all persons with the relevant qualification.  (2) Men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59.  (3) Other qualifications include the following qualifications: NVQ level 1 or equivalent, GNVQ GSVQ foundation level, CSE below grade 1 CSE below grade 1 GCSE below grade c, BTEC SCOTVEC first/general certificate, SCOTVEC modules, RSA other, City and Guilds Foundation/Part 1, YT YTP certificate, Key Skills qualification, Basic Skills qualification, Entry level qualification, other qualification.   Note: Comparable data not available for 1998 and 2000.   Source: ONSLabour Force Survey (LFS).

Financial Ombudsman Service

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases were received by the Financial Ombudsman Service in each of the last five years; and how many were resolved in each year.

Edward Balls: The Financial Services Ombudsman (FOS) is operationally independent of the Government. However, I understand that the following table represents the number of cases received by FOS in each of the last five years and the number that were resolved in each year.
	
		
			   Cases received  Cases resolved 
			 2001-02 43,330 39,194 
			 2002-03 62,170 56,459 
			 2003-04 97,901 76,704 
			 2004-05 110,963 90,908 
			 2005-06 112,923 119,432

Financial Ombudsman Service

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases were received by the Financial Ombudsman Service in relation to the sale of  (a) critical illness insurance,  (b) payment protection insurance,  (c) term life assurance and  (d) income protection in each of the last five years.

Edward Balls: The Financial Services Ombudsman (FOS) is operationally independent of the Government. However, I understand that the following table represents the number of cases received by FOS in relation to the sale of  (a) critical illness insurance,  (b) payment protection insurance,  (c) term life assurance and  (d) income protection in each of the last five years.
	
		
			  Cases received 
			   2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-5  2005-06 
			 Critical illness insurance 408 492 582 717 799 
			 Payment protection insurance 513 803 802 833 1315 
			 Term life insurance(1) 3647 5009 5442 4506 4163 
			 Income protection n/a n/a 872 980 1,103 
			 (1) Includes whole of life policies and non-mortgage linked endowments

Fuel Fraud

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many petrol filling-station owners have been convicted of selling  (a) illegally laundered and  (b) smuggled fuel in Northern Ireland in the last two years; and what the average sentence was handed down by the courts for each offence;
	(2)  how many people have been  (a) charged with and  (b) convicted for the operation of illegal fuel laundering plants within Northern Ireland in the last three years; and what the average sentence handed down by the courts was for that offence.

John Healey: The latest details of convictions and average sentencing were published in HMRC Annual Report 2004-05, in which conviction and sentence details relate to all types of hydrocarbon oils fraud and smuggling, including selling illegally laundered and smuggled fuel and operating illegal fuel laundering plants. The breakdown between types of fraud is not available.
	Prosecution figures for 2005-06 will be published in HMRC's Annual Report 2005-06.
	The number of people charged in relation to hydrocarbon oils fraud in Northern Ireland during the last three years is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of people charged 
			 2002-03 5 
			 2003-04 6 
			 2004-05 7 
		
	
	The figures relate to charges for all types of hydrocarbon oils fraud.

Household Poverty

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children in  (a) Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and  (d) the UK live in a family in which neither parent works.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 October 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the number of children in a family where neither parent works. (97006)
	The attached table gives the requested information.
	Estimates are taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Number of children( 1)  in a family in which neither parent works( 2)  by constituency and region April-June 2006 
			   Number (Thousand) 
			 United Kingdom 2,012 
			 North East 96 
			 South Tyneside 10 
			 Jarrow 5 
			 (1) Children refers to children under 16. (2) Data in this table exclude families with unknown economic activity status.  Source: Labour Force Survey

Incomes

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2006 to questions 95921 to 95925, whether the replacement rates, marginal deduction rates and tax benefit and model tables take into account  (a) housing benefit and  (b) other benefits; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Details are provided in Tax Benefit Model Tables April 2005 available on the DWP website:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/tbmt.asp.
	The calculations take into account: take home pay after income tax and national insurance plus tax credits for those in work; job seeker's allowance for those out of work, including support for children and some benefits in kind; and child, housing and council tax benefits for all eligible.

Infant Mortality

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the latest trends are in infant mortality.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 October 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question asking what the latest trends are in infant mortality. (97244)
	Trends in infant mortality are routinely published by ONS in Health Statistics Quarterly, as part of the report on infant and perinatal mortality by health areas in England and Wales. Infant mortality numbers and rates in England and Wales from 1976 to 2005 (the most recent year available) are published in table 1 on page 76 of the journal. This can be accessed using the following link: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/HSQ31.pdf

Lone Parent Households

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of children lived in lone parent households in each year since 1979-80.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 October 2006:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question on the proportion of dependent children living in lone parent households since 1979. (97240)
	Estimates of the percentage of dependent children living in families headed by a lone parent in the United Kingdom are shown in the attached table.
	
		
			  Proportion of dependent children( 1)  living in families headed by a lone parent, United Kingdom 
			   Percentages 
			 1979 11 
			 1986 13 
			 1992 16 
			 1993 16 
			 1994 18 
			 1995 19 
			 1996 21 
			 1997 21 
			 1998 22 
			 1999 22 
			 2000 22 
			 2001 22 
			 2002 23 
			 2003 23 
			 2004 23 
			 2005 24 
			 2006 24 
			 (1) Dependent children are those aged under 16 or aged 16 to 18 who are never-married and in full-time education.  Sources: Pre 1992 General Household Survey (Great Britain), 1992-2006 Labour Force Survey (United Kingdom)

Military Tax-free Bonus

Robert Flello: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his assessment is of whether the tax free bonus will affect the entitlement of soldiers in receipt of tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 23 October 2006 to the hon. Member for North Devon (Nick Harvey) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field).

Office of Government Commerce

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) budget and  (b) total number of employees were of the Office of Government Commerce in each year since 2000.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Treasury's Departmental Report 2006 (Cm 6830).

PR Contractors

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which  (a) public affairs and  (b) public relations companies were contracted to work for (i) his Department and (ii) agencies of his Department between 1997 and 2002.

John Healey: I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 24 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1064W.

Public Service Broadcasting Licences

Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the contribution to Exchequer revenue of public service broadcasting licences was in each year since 2000; what estimate his Department has made of such revenue in each year up to 2015; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The answer is in the following table:
	
		
			  Licensees collectively paid 
			million 
			 1999-2000 404 
			 2000-01 417 
			 2001-02 335 
			 2002-03 280 
			 2003-04 276 
			 2004-05 203 
			 2005-06 87 
		
	
	The communications regulator, Ofcom, is responsible for setting the level of payments.

Sport Budget

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the basis was for his statement on GMTV on 25 October that the Government have a budget of 1.5 billion for sport; and if he will provide a breakdown of that budget by source.

Stephen Timms: The 1.5 billion figure used by the Chancellor in his statement on GMTV on 25 October is the investment being made in PE and school sport for the five years to 2008. The exact amount is 1.559 billion, of which 739 million is being invested by the Department for Educations and Skills, 239 million by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, and 581 million is being invested in facilities by the Big Lottery Fund's New Opportunities for PE and Sport initiative.

Sport Budget

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions took place with  (a) the Department for Education and Skills,  (b) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport,  (c) Sport England,  (d) UK Sport,  (e) the Youth Sport Trust and  (f) London 2012 before the Chancellor's announcement on sport of 25 October 2006.

Stephen Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide range of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Statistical Independence

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to respond to the results of the consultation on independence for statistics; and when he plans to introduce legislation on this issue.

John Healey: The Government will respond to the consultation on independence for statistics in due course and plan to introduce legislation on this issue as soon as possible.

Stern Report

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the Stern Report on the economics of climate change to be published; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The Stern Review on the economics of climate change was published earlier today.

Sustainable Communities Programme

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the funding of the infrastructure for the Sustainable Communities programme in  (a) Northamptonshire and  (b) England.

John Healey: The Government's response to Kate Barker's review on housing supply at PER 05 set out, among other things, the Government's ambition over the next decade to increase new housing supply in England to 200,000 net additions per year and a Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 Policy Review into Supporting Housing Growth.
	The Policy Review is examining the infrastructure implications of meeting housing growth ambitions across England, as well as in the growth areas. The review will inform CSR negotiations, including with DCLG.

Tax Credits

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research has been conducted into the problems encountered by self-employed people claiming tax credits; and if he will take steps to change the system to take better account of the needs of the self-employed.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC has ongoing research into tax credits as part of its active external research programme. Details can be found on their website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/activities.htm. The self-employed participate in many of these studies. The research findings will be of interest to all claimants, including the self-employed, and where relevant any distinct conclusions which can be made for this group will be drawn.
	Tax Credits benefit the self-employed as well as employed families. There are rules in the system to cater for their particular needs.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit verification checks have been  (a) set aside and  (b) granted an easement since April 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 July 2006,  Official Report, column 363W.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 29 November 2005,  Official Report, column 341W, on credit overpayments, why HM Revenue and Customs made an error in paying tax credits to claimants subject to immigration control; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 July 2006,  Official Report, column 363W.

UK Investments

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value was of  (a) UK investments in the US and  (b) UK lending to the US Federal Government in 2005-06; and what percentage of such UK investments is represented by UK lending.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 October 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the total value is of (a) UK investments in the US and (b) UK lending to the US Federal government; and what percentage of such UK investments is represented by US lending. (97397)
	The information shown in the table below is taken from Table 10.1 of the annual Balance of Payment yearbook: The Pink Book 2006. A geographical breakdown of the UK's International Investment Position is available up to 2004 and is consistent with the 2006 edition of the Pink Book.
	
		
			  Investment levels as at 31 December 2004 
			billion 
			  UK investments in the US  
			 Direct 149.8 
			 Portfolio 276.5 
			 Other 442.7 
			 Total 869.1 
			   
			  US investments in the UK  
			 Direct 127.3 
			 Portfolio 379.1 
			 Other 418.5 
			 Total 925.0 
			  Source: ONS Pink Book 2006 
		
	
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) does not have data available for US lending to the UK. They are included within US other investment in the UK in the table above, but this also includes deposits from the US with UK residents (together with some other very much smaller components).
	ONS does not have data for UK lending to the US Federal Government.

Unclaimed Assets

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been invested in youth and community facilities through the unclaimed assets programme since its inception.

Edward Balls: As set out in the 2005 pre-Budget report, the Government welcome the banking industry's commitment to establish a scheme to allow genuinely unclaimed assets to be reinvested in the community. The Government and industry have agreed that the definition of an unclaimed asset should generally cover bank and building society accounts where there has been no customer activity for a period of 15 years, as that will best identify those accounts that are genuinely unclaimed. No assets have been invested as work on setting up the scheme is ongoing.

VAT (Unions)

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much VAT was collected from  (a) registered trades unions,  (b) the Union of Democratic Mineworkers and  (c) Vendside Ltd. in each year since 1998.

Dawn Primarolo: Consistent data sources back to 1998 are not available but the following table shows VAT receipts from registrations classified as trade unions since 1999.
	
		
			  Trade unions 
			   Net VAT receipts ( million) 
			 1999 -0.67 
			 2000 -0.39 
			 2001 0.21 
			 2002 -0.49 
			 2003 -0.13 
			 2004 0.35 
			 2005 -0.32 
		
	
	Section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 does not permit HM Revenue and Customs to disclose information relating to the tax affairs of individual taxpayers.

Wages and Incomes

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) average wage was for (i) full-time male, (ii) full-time female, (iii) part-time male and (iv) part-time female employees and  (b) average household income was for working age households in the Peterborough city council area in (A) cash and (B) constant price terms in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 October 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question what the (a) average wage for (i) full-time male, (ii) full-time female, (iii) part time male and (iv) part time female employees and (b) average household income for working age households was for working age households was in the Peterborough City Council area in (A) cash and (B) constant price terms in each of the last 10 years. (97518).
	Currently average earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay whose pay was unaffected by absence during the pay period. This is the standard definition used for ASHE. The ASHE does not collect data on the self employed and people who do unpaid work. I have attached tables containing statistics on earnings from the ASHE for the years 1997-2006 for the Peterborough City Council area. The second table shows these earnings statistics expressed in 2006 prices by uprating with the Retail Price Index (RPI).
	Average household income for working age households by council area is not available. Household income statistics for all households in the UK, based on the Family Resources Survey, are produced by the Department of Work and Pensions. Additionally the Office for National Statistics has produced statistics for wards for 2001-02 only. These estimates are based on a statistical model and are experimental statisticsthey have been developed in accordance with the principles set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice but are not accredited as National Statistics.
	The ASHE, carried out in April of each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. It is a one per cent sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes, but because of its sampling frame, it has difficulty capturing data on people with very low pay. It is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff earning below the tax threshold.
	
		
			  Gross weekly (cash ) pay for employee jobs( a)  by place of workPeterborough 
			   
			   Median  Mean 
			   Full-time  Part-time  Full-time  Part-time 
			   Male  Female  Male  Female  Male  Female  Male  Female 
			 2006 468 *348 X **136 543 419 **169 *171 
			 2005 *456 *350 X *136 540 386 **228 *170 
			 2004(b) *442 *315 X **138 508 359 **170 *162 
			 2004 454 *327 X **133 516 366 **177 *165 
			 2003 *425 *313 X **123 493 366 **114 *146 
			 2002 417 *308 X **105 484 *384 **112 *124 
			 2001 *403 *289 **95 **116 457 *334 *106 *133 
			 2000 371 *284 **119 **103 424 306 X *126 
			 1999 374 *264 X **113 423 304 X *115 
			 1998 369 *252 X *96 416 291 X *116 
			 1997 357 *244 X **91 413 272 X *100 
		
	
	
		
			  Gross weekly (constant price ) pay for employee jobs( a)  by place of workPeterborough 
			   
			   Median  Mean 
			   Full-time  Part-time  Full-time  Part-time 
			   male  female  male  female  male  female  male  female 
			 2006 468 *348 X **136 543 419 **169 *171 
			 2005 *470 *361 X *140 556 398 **235 *175 
			 2004(b) *469 *334 X **146 538 381 **180 *172 
			 2004 481 *347 X **141 547 388 **188 *175 
			 2003 *459 *338 X **133 532 395 **123 *158 
			 2002 467 *345 X **118 542 *430 **125 *139 
			 2001 *459 *329 **108 **132 521 *381 *121 *152 
			 2000 430 *329 **138 **119 492 355 X *146 
			 1999 445 *314 X **134 503 362 X *137 
			 1998 446 *305 X *116 503 352 X *140 
			 1997 450 *307 X **115 520 343 X *126 
			 (a) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (b) In 2004 additional supplementary surveys were introduced to improve the coverage of the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. Figures are presented both excluding and including the additional surveys for comparison purposes.  Note: Constant price terms have been uprated using the Retail Prices Index (RPI), re-based at April 2006.  Guide to quality The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent., we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220.  Key CV = 5 per cent. * CV 5 per cent. and =10 per cent. ** CV  10 per cent. and =20 per cent. X CV  20 per cent. The median replaces the mean as the headline statistic. The weighted mean is the sum of the weighted values divided by the sum of the weights. The median is the value below which 50 per cent. of employees fall. It is preferred over the mean for earnings data as it is influenced less by extreme values and because of the skewed distribution of earnings data.  Source:  Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the government of Pakistan on the alleged supply route of Taliban fighters across the Pakistan border with Afghanistan.

Margaret Beckett: This issue was last discussed when my right. hon. Friend the Prime Minister met President Musharraf on 28 September. President Musharraf assured my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister that he was determined to deal with the Taliban and reduce the level of activity across the border into Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the  (a) implications and  (b) likely effect of the recent peace initiative between the Government of Pakistan and tribal leaders of Waziristan on the insurgency in Afghanistan.

Margaret Beckett: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, (Dr. Howells), gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) on 20 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1517W.

Afghanistan

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates have been made by her Department of whether the cultivation of poppies in Afghanistan has increased or diminished in each year since NATO's military intervention.

Kim Howells: The International Security Assistance Force is not itself directly engaged in counter-narcotics, but it has an important role to play in supporting the Afghan counter-narcotics effort by securing the future stability of Afghanistan and creating the environment in which counter-narcotics activities can have greatest impact. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. According to the survey, the estimated volume of opium cultivation in each of the last four years was as follows:
	
		
			   Hectares 
			 2002-03 80,000 
			 2003-04 131,000 
			 2004-05 104,000 
			 2005-06 165,000

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are for the renewal of the mandate of the European peacekeeping force in Bosnia beyond November 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The EU peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Operation Althea, is mandated by Chapter VII United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1575 (2004) and 1639 (2005). This mandate is due for renewal in November 2006.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of progress on the reform process in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: There has been limited progress on reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) this year. Significant progress before the elections on 1 October was unlikely, but as I made clear in my statement to the press of 2 October, it is important that the reform process is now resumed so that BiH can continue its process of normalisation and move closer towards the EU and NATO. Constitutional reform and implementing the necessary reforms to conclude the Stabilisation and Association Agreement should be the top priorities for BiH in the coming months. The full text of the 2 October statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=1007029391629a=KArticleaid=1159195053928%20year=2006month=2006-10-01date=2006-10-02.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are for the closure of the UN Office of the High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: At its meeting on 22-23 June 2006, the steering board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) agreed that the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina should begin preparations to close on 30 June 2007. This decision will be subject to final review and confirmation in February 2007, to take into account the domestic and regional situations before closure goes ahead. The PIC reaffirmed its commitment to this decision at its meeting on 19-20 October 2006.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are for the role of the EU in Bosnia-Herzegovina after the closure of the UN Office of the High Representative; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: On 17 October 2006, the General Affairs Council of the EU welcomed the report of the Secretary-General/High Representative and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement on a reinforced EU presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) following the planned closure of the Office of the High Representative in June 2007. This report recommends that the future EU Special Representative (EUSR) will play a central coordinating role amongst the international community in BiH. We expect that the future EUSR will be mandated to engage with BiH politicians and other interlocutors in order to facilitate the reform process and help to maintain peace and stability. The European Union Force in BiH, the EU peacekeeping mission in BiH and the EU Police Mission will also remain engaged in BiH.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the progress made in police restructuring in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: There has been little progress towards the implementation of the October 2005 Agreement on Police Restructuring, which is a key condition for the conclusion of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. This is largely because of obstruction by Republika Srpska (RS) politicians. As I made clear in my statement to the press of 2 October, it is imperative that progress is made in the coming months. I raised the matter with both RS President, Dragan Cavic, and RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, when I met them in London on 7 June and 25 July 2006. The full text of the 2 October statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=1007029391629a=KArticleaid=1159195053928%20year=2006month=2006-10-01date=2006-10-02.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to change the number of EU-led peacekeeping forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The EU's Operational Commander for Operation Althea, the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, General Sir John Reith, has submitted his six monthly mission review to the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC). This review contains recommendations for the restructuring of Operation Althea, including options for a reduction of the number of troops in theatre. The Operational Commander's proposed changes will be reviewed by the PSC and EU Military Committee before being submitted to the General Affairs and External Relations Council for a decision.

British Council

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what contracts have been awarded by the British Council to  (a) Hobsbawm Macaulay Public Relations,  (b) HMC Public Relations and  (c) Brunswick Arts in each year since 1997; and what contracts are in place with each of these companies;
	(2)  what services have been provided to the British Council by  (a) Hobsbawm Macaulay Public Relations,  (b) HMC Public Relations and  (c) Brunswick Arts in each year since 1997; and what the purpose of such services was in each case.

Geoff Hoon: The British Council has had no contracts with and received no services from Hobsbawm Macaulay Public Relations or HMC Public Relations. However, Hobsbawm Macaulay Communications Limited were employed to manage the Architecture of Knowledge Colloquium in 1998 and Hobsbawm Media + Marketing Communications Limited to manage the promotion of the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale from May to June 2001.
	Brunswick Arts International were employed to manage promotion of the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale from August to September 2004 and Brunswick Arts Consultancy Limited to support our UK arts promotion from February to April 2002, 1 June 2002 to 31 May 2003 and 1 August 2003 to 31 July 2004.
	The British Council have informed us that they have had no further contracts or services with either Hobsbawm Macaulay Communications Limited, Hobsbawm Media + Marketing Communications Limited or Brunswick Arts Consultancy Limited since 2004.

British Council

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what process was followed in selecting  (a) Hobsbawm Macaulay Public Relations,  (b) HMC Public Relations and  (c) Brunswick Arts to work for the British Council; and what other companies tendered for the work in question.

Geoff Hoon: Hobsbawm Macaulay Public Relations and HMC Public Relations have never been employed by the British Council. The Council did however employ Hobsbawm Macaulay Communications Limited, Hobsbawm Media + Marketing Communications Limited and Brunswick Arts Consultancy Limited.
	British Council staff members are required to follow corporate guidelines for procurement, which are in line with Government best practice. I will arrange for a copy of the British Council's guidelines for procurement to be placed in the Library of the House.
	On this occasion the British Council does not hold records of the other companies who were considered for this work.

Burma

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations she has made to the Government of Burma regarding the employment of children in the Burmese armed services; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: We remain deeply concerned about the recruitment and exploitation of children by the Burmese military. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade raised this issue when he met the Burmese ambassador on 15 June and again in a letter to the Burmese Foreign Minister on 5 July. Our ambassador in Rangoon reiterated our concerns about the human rights situation in Burma in a meeting with the Burmese Foreign Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister on 18 August.

China

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations she has made on behalf of  (a) China's Christian community,  (b) Gao Zhishung,  (c) Pastor Goug Shenghliang and  (d) Pastor Zhang Ruig Laiug.

Kim Howells: We regularly urge the Chinese Government to respect religious freedom. Officials from our embassy in Beijing accompanied the Archbishop of Canterbury during his visit to China on 18-23 October, and raised the abuse of church leaders and the restrictions against religious practitioners with the Chinese authorities. We raised freedom of religion at the last round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue, in Beijing in July, and included Gao Zhisheng and the case of Pastor Zhang Rongliang on a list of individual cases handed over to the Chinese authorities at the dialogue. Gao Zhisheng was also included on a list of cases we handed over to the Chinese during Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the UK in September. We have not made representations on the case of Pastor Gong Shenliang. However, we regularly raise individual cases of concern and are willing to consider action on any case where valid information is provided.

Colombia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  whether the Minister of State with responsibility for counter narcotics and counter terrorism discussed the activities of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency during his recent visit to Colombia;
	(2)  whether the Minister of State with responsibility for counter narcotics and counter terrorism discussed UK counter narcotics training with members of the Colombian  (a) government and  (b) armed forces on his recent visit;
	(3)  which military personnel the Minister of State with responsibility for counter narcotics and counter terrorism met during his recent visit to Colombia;
	(4)  which non-governmental civil society groups the Minister of State with responsibility for counter narcotics and counter terrorism met on his recent visit to Colombia;
	(5)  what  (a) general human rights concerns and  (b) specific human rights cases the Minister of State with responsibility for counter narcotics and counter terrorism raised with Colombian officials on his recent visit;
	(6)  whether the Minister of State with responsibility for counter narcotics and counter terrorism raised the issue of extra-judicial executions by the Colombian armed forces with Colombian officials on his recent visit to Colombia;
	(7)  if she will make available the minutes of meetings held by the Minister of State with responsibility for counter narcotics and counter terrorism during his recent visit to Colombia.

Kim Howells: I visited Colombia on 12-15 October as part of a wider visit to the region to inspect UK engagement to combat the flow of cocaine to the UK. In Bogota, I called on the Vice President, Foreign Minister and Defence Minister to discuss current co-operation and the Colombian government's own serious commitment to this task. I emphasised in all meetings the importance which the UK attaches to co-operation to tackle the drugs problem, the essential nature of strict adherence to international human rights standards and the need for Colombia to develop its democracy and economy. All interlocutors gave clear commitments on these important issues. I also met a number of Colombian police and military personnel who are directly engaged in tackling drugs trafficking and which the UK supports, in particular through a number of training projects including bomb disposal, de-mining and rules of engagement. It is not our practice to name those involved in operational matters, nor to make public any records of discussions of operational matters. The UK will continue to support the Colombian authorities where we consider it appropriate to do so, and where we can be satisfied that our co-operation serves to develop human rights-compatible law enforcement in Colombia.
	My visit also gave me the opportunity to support the concept of the shared responsibility agenda on drugs promoted by the Colombian government and which it will be taking forward, as a first step, through a conference on 2 November in London.
	My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, also raised human rights issues with the Government of Colombia when he visited the country in September this year. He met a range of interlocutors, including the Minister of Defence and Minister of Interior, as well as representatives from civil society, non-governmental organisations, trade unions, the business community and the Colombian armed forces. During his meetings he emphasised the importance the UK attaches to respect for human rights. He raised our concerns about a range of human rights issues in Colombia and encouraged the Colombian authorities to continue in their efforts to improve the human rights situation. The UK will continue to work with civil society organisations and the Colombian authorities to help achieve this and we support a number of projects related to security sector reform and human rights in this respect.

Criminal Offences

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many criminal offences her Department has created by Orders in Council in each year since 1997.

Margaret Beckett: Most of the Orders in Council submitted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for making by the Queen in Council which create criminal offences are Orders implementing United Nations sanctions measures and European Union sanctions measures, for example imposing asset freezes in the Overseas Territories.
	Others are Orders in Council which apply to our Overseas Territories, legislation which is needed to implement obligations under treaties to which the United Kingdom has become a party, including by creating criminal offences. An example is the Chemical Weapons Act 1996, which sets out criminal offences in order to implement the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction 1993. The Act has been applied by Order in Council to the Overseas Territories.
	Besides the text of those Orders that are clearly identifiable as creating criminal offences, the text of many other Orders would also have to be examined in case they create an offence or offences. The information required to identify the number of criminal offences created by all such Orders in Council is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with Turkey on that country's obligations to the EU to open up ports, airports and airspace to the Republic of Cyprus; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The Government regularly reminds Turkey of the importance of fulfilling its obligations to the EU, including when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met the Turkish Prime Minister on 3 October. The Commission will publish its annual report on Turkey on 8 November, in which it will evaluate Turkey's implementation of its obligations, including on the Ankara Agreement Protocol. Any follow-up will be discussed by member states and will depend on the assessments contained within the report.

Departmental Staff

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what percentage of ambassadors were educated in  (a) the state school sector,  (b) the independent school sector,  (c) Oxford or Cambridge university and  (d) other universities.

Geoff Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold this data as a matter of course on all its staff. The data have been collected in order to answer this question. Of the 157 members of the diplomatic service currently serving as Heads of Mission and Governors of Overseas Territories, 92 (58.59 per cent.) were educated at schools in the independent sector, 55 (35 per cent.) in the state sector (including the current Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service, Sir Peter Ricketts KCMG), and details of eight (5 per cent.) are not known. 77 (49 per cent.) were educated at either Oxford or Cambridge universities, 50 (32 per cent.) at other universities, 24 (15 per cent.) did not attend university, and the details of four (2.5 per cent.) are not known. Two Heads of Mission posts are currently vacant.
	All posts in the diplomatic service are filled on the basis of fair and open competition, through the internal selection boards of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or, where appropriate, interview or selection panels involving external stakeholders for the post in question. Information on educational qualifications is of no relevance to the process of appointing Heads of Mission, and is not sought by selection boards. The FCO is committed to recruiting a talented and diverse work force which reflects the society it serves, and its recruitment policies are designed to encourage applications from the widest possible range of backgrounds. The Department is active in outreach activities such as career fairs, work experience schemes and community business events to support this policy.

Entity of Republika Srpska

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the representatives of the Entity of Republika Srpska; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I met Republika Srpska (RS) President Dragan Cavic on 7 June 2006 and RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik on 25 July 2006 in London. I reaffirmed the UK's support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU and NATO aspirations. However, I expressed my concern about PM Dodik's statements on the possibility of a referendum on secession in the RS and the lack of commitment from the RS to the police restructuring agreement of October 2005. I also pressed Mr. Dodik to do everything he could to ensure full co-operation by the RS with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

European Union

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her statement in Prospects for the EU in 2006 (Cm 6896), on better regulation, what the Government's position is on European Commission proposals to simplify EU legislation with regard to food packaging; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The Council of Ministers agreed on 25 September a common position on the Commission's proposal for a new directive on nominal quantities for pre-packaged products. The proposal, as amended by the Council, would deregulate all pre-packaged products except wines and spirits, though member states which currently maintain quantity restrictions on milk, butter, pasta or coffee, or on white sugar, would be able to retain these for a transitional period of five years (six for white sugar). The United Kingdom supports this proposal, which is a valuable step towards simplifying the corpus of EU legislation and removing out of date restrictions. The next step in the legislative process is for the European Parliament to give it a Second Reading in the light of the Council's position.

Iran

Robert Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make representations to the Iranian Government about the arrest and current whereabouts of Amir Montazini and his wife Fereshtel Dibaj, leaders of an independent Christian Church in Mashad, Northern Iran.

Kim Howells: We remain concerned about the situation of religious minorities in Iran and receive numerous reports of discrimination against those who practise minority faiths. Amir Montazemi and his wife Fereshteh Dibaj were arrested in Iran on 26 September and subsequently released on bail on 5 October. We have not made representations to the Iranian Government but continue to monitor the case closely.
	We take all available opportunities to raise our concerns about religious freedom in Iran with the Iranian authorities and continue to press them, bilaterally and through the EU, to address the intimidation and discrimination of all religious minorities, including Christian, Baha'i and Jewish communities. At our suggestion the EU presidency raised these issues with the Iranians on 31 January and 11 April.
	We also take action at the UN, and were pleased that all EU countries co-sponsored a UN General Assembly Resolution on human rights in Iran in December last year. This resolution expressed serious concern at
	The continuing discrimination, and other human rights violations against persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, recognised or otherwise, including Arabs, Kurds, Baluchis, Christians, Jews and Sunni Muslims, the escalation and increased frequency of discrimination and other human rights violations against the Baha'i.
	We expect Iran to uphold the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion in accordance with its obligations under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many senior officials from Saddam Hussein's regime are detained  (a) without charge and  (b) subsequent to being charged but awaiting trial; under what authority they are held and by whom; in which country they are being held; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: UK forces in Iraq are not detaining any senior officials from Saddam Hussein's regime. US forces in Iraq are detaining 10 senior officials on the ground that it is necessary for imperative reasons of security under the authority conferred by United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1546 and 1637. The US is also detaining on behalf of the Government of Iraq and at its request a further 67 senior officials under Iraqi criminal procedures. These individuals will be prosecuted in the Iraqi courts. We understand the Government of Iraq is itself detaining at least one senior official of the former regime, but we are not able to confirm numbers or the legal basis of their detention.

Kosovo

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the negotiations on final status talks on Kosovo; when she expects the talks to conclude; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The UK fully supports the Contact Group's Ministerial Statement of 20 September 2006 on Kosovo and the final status process. The document is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/ContactGroup_statement.pdf.
	We will continue to give full support to the work of the UN's Special Envoy for the Final Status Process, Martti Ahtisaari, to make all possible efforts to help achieve a settlement by the end of 2006.

Kosovo

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with President Tadic on the final status talks on Kosovo; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I discussed the Kosovo future status process with President Tadic when we met in London on 21 June 2006. The issue was also discussed with Serbian Prime Minister Dr. Vojislav Kostunica in his meetings with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, my noble and Learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and myself in London on 26 and 27 June 2006. We maintain a regular dialogue with the authorities in Belgrade and Pristina on the Kosovo future status process both bilaterally and with our Contact Group partners: the US, Russia, Italy, Germany and France.

Ministerial Visits

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1517W, on ministerial visits, how much was recovered following investigation of the non-compliant claim; and what disciplinary action was taken.

Geoff Hoon: As a result of investigating the non-compliant claim, 91.80 was recovered. The matter was investigated in accordance with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Misconduct Procedure, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. But, having considered all of the evidence, it was decided that there was no case to answer. It would not be appropriate to comment further on an individual case.

North Korea

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work has been done by her Department on strengthening the rules governing the withdrawal of a country from the non-proliferation treaty since North Korea's withdrawal.

Margaret Beckett: During the last Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review cycle, the UK, both nationally and as part of the EU, worked hard to secure consensus on ways to ensure that there is a cost associated with withdrawal from the Treaty. This work was in response to North Korea's announcement of its intention to withdraw and drew widespread support, but did not achieve the consensus required for the change to be implemented. We believe that progress made on this area during the 2005 NPT Review Conference provides an important foundation for further efforts to strengthen the Treaty over the next review cycle.

Sudan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by the UN and African Union technical assessment mission towards establishing a UN mandate in Darfur; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: A UN peacekeeping force is critical to establishing and sustaining a peaceful outcome to the crisis in Darfur. The UN and African Union (AU) deployed a technical assessment mission to Darfur in July to begin planning for transition from the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to a UN force. On 31 August the Security Council passed resolution 1706 which mandates a UN force for Darfur, drawing on the planning done by that joint AU/UN technical assessment mission.
	The Government of Sudan continue to resist a UN deployment in Darfur. I, and others in the Government, are involved in intense diplomatic activity in co-ordination with the UN, African and Arab leaders, the EU and other international partners to make clear to President Bashir that he faces a strategic choice: to act responsibly in support of peace or face increasing isolation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) pressed President Bashir personally when they met on 16 October.

Sudan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the next steps are towards gaining the agreement of the Sudanese Government on the future UN peacekeeping force in Darfur.

Margaret Beckett: A UN peacekeeping force is critical to a resolution of the appalling Darfur conflict. The UK co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 1706, adopted on 31 August, which mandated a force. Since then we have been engaging Sudan directly to agree to its deployment: my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) raised this with President Bashir in Khartoum on 16 October.
	We are also in close contact with international partners to maintain sustained and unified pressure on the Sudanese Government to co-operate fully with the UN. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe (Mr. Hoon) and I had discussions on Darfur with our counterparts from the African Union, UN Security Council and EU partners during the UN General Assembly week (18-22 September) in New York. We have been in intensive telephone contact since and our missions are lobbying key governments who have influence over Khartoum.
	We, and others, are making crystal clear to the Sudanese Government that there are considerable benefits for the people of Sudan in accepting international peacekeeping assistance, and negative consequences if the situation continues to deteriorate as a result of Khartoum's rejection of such assistance.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the decision of the Sudanese Government to demand the removal of Special UN Representative Jan Pronk.

Geoff Hoon: The Government condemn the decision by the Sudanese Government to expel Jan Pronk, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative to Sudan. This step will contribute nothing to solving the problems of Sudan: Khartoum needs to co-operate with the UN to bring an end to the appalling conflict in Darfur. We are in close contact with the UN Secretariat on their response and have protested directly to President Bashir. We call upon the Sudanese Government to reconsider their decision.

Tanzania

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1285W, on Tanzania, what further action Ministers have taken to help to secure justice for Mr. Stewart Middleton.

Geoff Hoon: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, raised this case with the Tanzanian Foreign Minister, Asha-Rose Migiro, on 18 September 2006. Our high commission in Dar es Salaam remains in close touch with Stewart Middleton and continues to make representations on his behalf.

Tibet

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Chinese authorities about the killings at Nangpa La, near the Tibet-Nepal border, of Tibetan escapees by the Chinese army patrols; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We are working both bilaterally and with the EU to seek an urgent and transparent investigation by the Chinese Government. The EU raised the incident with the Chinese Government at the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, held in Beijing on 19 October 2006.

Visas

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why visas have not yet been issued to the individuals involved in appeal cases OA/32813/2005 and OA/32707/2005 (embassy reference KGN/90197 and KGN/90199); when she expects them to be issued; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Our visa section in Kingston has not yet received the appeal determination from the Home Office that would enable them to issue visas to the individuals to which the hon. Member refers. They have asked the Home Office to send them the determination that will confirm the outcome of the appeal hearing. UK Visas sent a letter to the hon. Member on 24 October indicating this.